"Driving is a spectacular form of amnesia. Everything is to be discovered, everything to be obliterated." — Jean Baudrillard
Photo by Adri Law
The open road is like America’s El Dorado: a divine ideal; a constantly moving target; the cathedral of American Cool. In a perfect storm of post-war affluence, baby boom and Brando, the iconography of American Cool came of age in the 50s — the same decade America established its first interstate highway system. With thousands of miles of fresh-laid pavement and plenty of cheap gas to fuel the Kerouac dream, American Cool was born behind steering wheels and handle bars — the open road an easy metaphor for rebel liberty.
Photos by Lana Macnaughton
Photographers Lana Macnaughton and Adri Law document those souls still spiritually drawn to the charm of the highway strip — with a special interest in women torch-bearing for the church of the open road. Through her traveling Women’s Moto Exhibit and the women-only cycle summit The Dream Roll, Lana and her gang dovetail the leather-clad legacy of American Cool with modern feminism — hyping empowerment, independence and liberation through cycling.
Photos by Adri Law
This weekend at Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs, Lana, Adri and motorcycle restoration expert Chase Stopnik present Paradise Road Show: a two-day takeover of vintage cars, motorcycles, hot rods and all kinds of mid-century Americana (read: pie-eating contest, on-site pompadour styling and infinite rock & roll). Free and open to everyone.
