Riding High; The Stars Gear Up For A Guggenheim Motorcycle Show
by Leslie Marshall, In Style
February 29, 2000
Who knew a biker gang could be so glamorous? Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons and Diane Sawyer--they were just a few of the unlikely daredevils straddling the suicide machines during the opening weekend of the Guggenheim Museum's "Art of the Motorcycle" exhibition in Bilbao, Spain. "I vote we call ourselves the Guggenheim Angels," suggested Dennis Hopper, who was quickly seconded by museum director Thomas Krens.
Whether or not they were angels, Mother Nature threatened to spoil their first official ride through the Spanish countryside: As everyone gathered around a herd of BMWs parked in the museum plaza, Bilbao had its first snowfall in five years (luckily, it didn't stick). "I came to ride in style," said Fishburne, zipping up his sleek leather jacket. Lauren Hutton explained how she chooses the size of her motorcycles: "I always start by seeing if I can pick them back up." Later that night, back at the museum, the guests were treated to a screening of--what else?--Easy Rider. "Actually, I don't think I'm a good enough actor to play myself," Hopper joked of his career-making performance. Finally, getting to the art of the matter, the crowd strolled reverentially through the exhibit, which showcases 120 bikes from as many years. But it took Irons to sum up the experience. "Possibly the best weekend of my life," he said, with a sheepish grin and total conviction.