Geneva's New Bike Racks Will Be Works of Art — the First Is Made of Glass

Geneva's newest bike rack will be a work of art — literally.

The Geneva City Council Committee of the Whole recommended Monday that the city accept the bike rack commissioned by the city's Cultural Arts Commission for a price not to exceed $6,000.

The artwork will hold six bicycles and will be displayed in front of the Geneva History Center when it is completed.

The CAC advertised for artists to create the bicycle rack, and received 14 responses. An art advisory committee reviewed the works after redacting the names and hometowns of the artists who submitted entries.

"Three caught the attention (of the advisory group," and this was the one that was chosen," said Arts Commission Chairman Tim Vetang.

The winning entry was created by Tulane University Professor Weston Lambert. A sketch of the bicycle rack as well as a video from Tulane University is included in this article.

Because the university has its own glass factory, the commission will not have to go through the process of having that artist's work converted into a usable form.

"They’re able to do it all at Tulane," Vetang said.

Although made of glass, the bike rack will be solid and stand up to most wear and tear. "If you take a sledge hammer to it, no, it probably wouldn't stand up to that," Vetang said in answer to a question from Alderman Ron Singer.

The commission hopes to continue adding artist-made bicycle racks throughout the city. The CAC plans to add another, smaller bicycle rack at a cost of about $3,000, possibly at the Geneva Metra station.

Funding for the projects comes from the CAC, which in the past has raised money from fundraisers such as "Dancing With the Geneva Stars." Vetang said Monday night that DWGS will not continue this year and will be replaced by another fundraiser.