Lighting up the world : GIANT Bicycles

Artist：Michael Vincent Manalo｜Co-Creation Partner：Howard Wang

Member of the Giant Group as well as a bike lover for years, Howard has a wealth of knowledge about bicycles. From structure, production to design, be it frame, transmission of gears and chains, or direction and feature of tread patterns, he talks about everything with passion and confidence when it comes to bikes. Nevertheless, as to the whimsy thoughts that flash by from time to time, is there a chance for them to be realized?

On the day when all the participants shared their stories, Howard displayed an intriguing cylinder mechanism whose middle part can rotate independently. Seemingly light, while it started rotating in one’s hand, the force it created was actually powerful. Always fascinated by mechanism and having childlike curiosity, Howard never stops exploring life and the world. Speaking of the art project, he said there were a great many ideas he wanted to share with Michael, and it was a pity that he could only pick one of them for further extension.

The bike got its inspiration from hamster wheel, which Howard thought could be designed for “walking cats” when watching his cat stretching and strolling lazily at home. The idea appeared whimsy, but such spirit of exploration happened to exactly meet the original intention of the Cycling Culture Museum. The numerous possibilities in bikes rely on bold imagination, and although doubts and challenges might arise, it’s the meaning of exploration.

"Actually, when viewed from the angle of art, bicycles have wider, broader, and limitless possibilities!” said Howard. During the process, even though he constantly inquired about the bike’s structure and attempted to solve practical problems about operation, balance, etc., what Michael felt was his profound passion. The way he thought about how to exercise with his cat and demonstrating professionalism during meetings all showed his love for his life and the world. Just as the light above the work symbolizes the moment when a bright idea suddenly comes, it also stands for the curiosity that illuminates the world for us!