Olivier Mosset 1980 Harley-Davidson Chopper
Olivier Mosset & SYMETRIA editions: The Genesis of a “Rigid” Masterpiece
SYMETRIA editions and Jean-Charles Kien recently unveiled a major project with artist Olivier Mosset. This collaboration produced a custom 1980 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead chopper. The work debuted at the “1+1=3” exhibition at Kunsthaus Pasquart for its first public presentation.
It perfectly blends radical minimalism with authentic custom traditions.
A Strong Creative Partnership
The bond between Olivier Mosset and Jean-Charles Kien rests on a long history of mutual trust. Over the years, they have successfully collaborated on many editions and special artistic projects. Consequently, each new project benefits from their shared experience and creative synergy.
Furthermore, this motorcycle project was not built specifically for the Pasquart exhibition in Biel. The team spent a long time developing this unique machine in private. However, the museum provided the perfect setting to reveal it to the public for the first time.The gallery’s clean and minimalist architecture and Olivier’s masterpiece paintings highlighted the bike’s radical lines.
The chopper represents a major technical achievement. It found its ideal home within the museum walls alongside Mosset’s monumental canvases. Moreover, this presentation proves that SYMETRIA editions can bridge the gap between a workshop and a high-end art gallery. As a result, the project stands as a definitive milestone in their ongoing creative journey.
The Difficult “Chameleon” Finish
The bike features a striking “chameleon” paint job. This finish refers to previous projects between Mosset and Symetria. However, applying this paint is notoriously difficult. The color shifts based on the light and the viewer’s angle. Therefore, this effect is a hallmark of Mosset’s work. It effectively forces the viewer to rethink the surface and volume of the object.
From Paris to Tucson to Biel
A deep personal bond drives this project. Jean-Charles Kien and the SYMETRIA team travel to the USA often. They frequently visit Mosset at his studio in Tucson, Arizona. Their shared history in the biker scenes of Paris, New York, and Switzerland fuels this bond. For them, the motorcycle is a lifestyle, not just an art object.
The Legacy of “Wheels”
This project follows a famous and radical lineage. Specifically, the custom chopper connects to the themes in Mosset’s book, Wheels, edited by Gianni Jetzer. This book explores Mosset’s career through his fascination with motorized machines.
Furthermore, it highlights how these vehicles influence his artistic practice. The machine effectively becomes a “ready-made” sculpture in this context.
Olivier Mosset bought his first Harley-Davidson in Paris during the late 1960s. Interestingly, he found it in a US Army surplus store. At that time, he helped launch a biker subculture that was unknown in Europe. His studio on Rue de Lappe served a double purpose. First, it was a space for radical painting experiments. Second, it functioned as a garage for the first biker club. Consequently, motorcycles have always been a driving force in his life and work.
Art critics like Jill Gasparina suggest an interesting theory about his work. Perhaps the famous circles in his early paintings are not purely abstract. Instead, they might represent wheels. While his paintings remain silent and neutral, this Shovelhead offers a raw, mechanical contrast.
Therefore, this collaboration with SYMETRIA editions creates an alternative biography of the artist. It bridges the gap between high-level geometric abstraction and gritty counter-culture.
Rebuilding a Legend from Scratch
Building a technical piece of this magnitude was a massive challenge. First, we started the process from zero to ensure total perfection. We completely stripped the 1980 Shovelhead down to its core. Consequently, the team had to rebuild the engine and the gearbox to a brand-new state. This mechanical overhaul was essential for both performance and historical accuracy.
Furthermore, the project required a high level of customization. We did not simply assemble existing parts. Instead, SYMETRIA designed and manufactured numerous bespoke components specifically for this unique frame. These custom-made elements allow the bike to stand as a true classic “Rigid” chopper.
As a result, the motorcycle now exists in its purest, most radical form. It is a functional machine, yet it functions equally as a sculpture.
Moreover, this rigorous construction honors the authentic custom culture that Olivier has loved his entire life.
