Yep, that’s Brooklyn: Emerging artists, rockers converge at Park Slope motorcycle shop (photos)

Want to chat with an up-and-coming artist while sipping German beer and breathing in the sweet smells of leather and 94-octane fuel? Head to Brooklyn for an emerging art show!

I spent Thursday night in Park Slope at the latest G Train Salon exhibit, held at the Vax Moto motorcycle garage. This showcase for local artists– hailing mainly from Bushwick– featured a live band and the requisite freebies (hors d’oeuvres and alcohol). The highlight, however, was the opportunity to speak with young artists about their work.

Scroll down for photos of this unique art show. Thursday was the closing night, but make sure to visit the G Train Salon website for upcoming events.

G Train Salon Motorcycle Shop Show in Brooklyn_Curator K Saunders

I caught up with Brooklyn-based G Train Salon curator Krista Saunders (right) at the Vax Moto show.

MoMA meets Sturgis

I felt über-trendy as I entered the motorcycle garage, located in an unmarked, industrial building on 3rd Avenue in Park Slope. I wasn’t sure I was in the right spot, since the rows of vintage motorcycles and the deer head hanging from a wall didn’t exactly scream “art show.” When I spotted artwork by Barry Shepherd hanging in the hallway of the garage, I knew I was at the correct address. I resisted the urge to jump on a Ducati and made my way to the main exhibition space, which was in a room the size of two tennis courts. Clearly, I was not in Manhattan anymore!

G Train Salon Motorcycle Shop Show in Brooklyn_VAX MOTO

I was greeted at the entrance of the Vax Moto garage by this docile deer.

G Train Salon Motorcycle Shop Show in Brooklyn_VAX MOTO 3

The space was massive-- a sharp contrast to the tightly-packed art galleries in Manhattan.

G Train Salon Motorcycle Shop Show in Brooklyn_VAX MOTO bikes

Work by artist Barry Shepherd.

G Train Salon Motorcycle Shop Show in Brooklyn_Exhibit space

The G Train exhibit was housed in a homey section of this cavernous room, which is rented out by a local wall-paper design company.

Showcase for emerging artists

As part of the closing night festivities, artists Fabian Tabibian and Rachel LaBine spoke about their work. The event had the feel of an art school critique, with audience members referencing obscure artists and asking detailed questions about composition.

I enjoyed speaking one-on-one with Fabian Tabibian, whose work examines the impact of the Information Age on the individual and society. For the work featured in this exhibit, Fabian recorded every image he saw online for one week and created a data set; he then sorted the images by file name, resulting in an abstract but intriguing print. As a trained market researcher, I could relate to his passion for data. (For more information on Fabian, visit www.tabibian.org).

G Train Salon Motorcycle Shop Show in Brooklyn_Closing night

Audience members listened intently as artist Rachel LaBine described her work.

G Train Salon Motorcycle Shop Show in Brooklyn_Rachel LaBine

Bushwick-based artist Rachel LaBine.

G Train Salon Motorcycle Shop Show in Brooklyn_artist Justin Steimer 2

A series of intriguing illustrations and paintings by Justin Steimer.

G Train Salon Motorcycle Shop Show in Brooklyn_Fabian

Artist Fabian Tabibian explores the impact of the Information Age on everyday life.

G Train Salon Motorcycle Shop Show in Brooklyn_Rahul Alexander

Work by Rahul Alexander, who was present at the closing night.

Cheese, beer and rock ‘n roll

No art closing (or opening) is complete without tasty hors d’oeuvres and drinks. As is common at Brooklyn exhibits, the standard Chardonnay was replaced with beer. A representative from neighborhood bar Draft Barn served imported German ale as he described the locale’s Hungarian fare– adding an international flair to the event. Draft Barn was the site of an official after-party, but after two cups of Tucher beer, I was done for the evening!

G Train Salon Motorcycle Shop Show in Brooklyn_Draft Barn bar

A friendly barkeep from Draft Barn refreshes a cup of Tucher beer.

G Train Salon Motorcycle Shop Show in Brooklyn_Wild Deer band

Brooklyn band Wild Deer performed several songs, admirably blending a mix of musical styles. I detected nodes of southern rock (and a dash of hipster) in their jams.

G Train Salon Motorcycle Shop Show in Brooklyn_VAX MOTO garage

While I resisted the urge to jump on a bike, I insisted on stopping for a photo op.

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About Leslie Koch

I'm a New Yorker with a passion for travel and art. I founded DowntownTraveler.com after returning from a year-long backpacking trip around the world. Find me on Twitter at @leslietravel.