A World of Willingly Failed Stunts
I love this photograph. I love this stunt. I love the idea of the success of failure. Obviously this stunt was designed to play out exactly as we see it in this photograph, a complete, wonderful disaster. Although taken here to an extreme and dangerous level, it is nice to see such a forward example of embracing failure.
When I was in grade school I used to perform my own version of this stunt on my bike for my classmates—by jamming my foot in between the fork and the front wheel and then leaping over the bars. Maybe, subconciously, my audience appreciated the contradiction that made my trick so entertaining, but I imagine they were just like little NASCAR fans hoping to see me bust my ass.
Failure is not necessarily bad and I’d say that unless someone is getting hurt or set on fire or ruining motorcycles (and somtimes even then), it is a positive thing. It is too easy to get completely wrapped up in the bullshit of perfecting details to the point where something never gets finished. I’m getting to the point where I’d rather just drive into a van.
Note: If you know the provenance of this image please let me know.