Ralf Becker 27.08.12 Ralf Becker 27.08.12

X-RAY MAGAZINE: Hamburg – City Of The Classics

The other day x-ray magazine ("fashion business intelligence") asked me if I would like to write an article about "Motorkultur in Hamburg". What a question — of course! This is not only a perfect opportunity to present Hamburg amongst the other featured cities Los Angeles and London, but a good way to thank all those people and places who inspire me every day.

If you ever were looking for a perfect Motorkultur travel guide regarding Hamburg, here it is: Hamburg – City of Classics (English; page 64-67), Hamburg – Die Stadt der Klassiker (German; page 64-67).

Featuring (in alpahbetical order):

In this regard I would especially like to thank two persons: Oliver Breitwieser for taking all photos, Sven Wiesner for slamming his Rostkäfer. And yeah, needless to say: I <3 Hamburg.

Ralf Becker 17.06.12 Ralf Becker 17.06.12

Faust & Heisler: Herr Fischer bittet zu Tisch

For more then two years photographer Jo Fischer is touring Germany with his project "Herr Fischer bittet zu Tisch". He invites people to take a seat at his table, arranging characteristic pictures of people within seconds - and with one shot only. Already more than 1.800 guests sat at the always same wooden table in front of plain backcloth. Since the beginning, the setting (table & background) has been arranged in more than 20 cities in Germany and Switzerland. This project is an ongoing process, and is planned to visit many other places and possibly countries in the future. From housewifes to kids, rockers & burlesque dancers, blue- or white-collar workers: Everybody is invited to bring their own personality to the table. The results are a a cross section through society as portraits in black & white. On April 28, 2012 "Herr Fischer bittet zu Tisch" was arranged at the Hamburger Deichtorhallen as part of the "Lange Nacht der Museen" ("Night of the Museums"), and while thousands of people visited this event, between 8 p.m. and midnight over 150 of them took the opportunity and sat down at Jo's table, getting their photo taken - and taking a printout with them right away. faust&heisler accompanied Jo the whole day long, documenting a busy and crazy day in the life of "Herr Fischer bittet zu Tisch". http://www.jofischer.com http://www.heliumcowboy.com Music by szdl "batteries", "glass" taken from the slow EP http://soundcloud.com/szdl

Jo Fischer // Photographer and Rock´n Roller! He invited us to sit at his table for his project "Herr Fischer bittet zu Tisch" We couldn´t resist to follow the invitation and make a film about this event which is about to come soon. While shooting he showed his true rock´n rollers soul and sang this song for us which we just have to share with you. http://jofischer.com/herr-fischer-bittet-zu-tisch http://heliumcowboy.squarespace.com/

It is a major honor for me to have friends like Jo Fischer, Jörg Heikhaus, Arthur Heisler and Tobias Faust. Guys, I am not sure you really know how much your work inspires me. Mr. Heisler, Mr. Faust: Awesome video portrait – can't wait to work a lot more with you. Mr. Fischer: Get yourself some kneepads.

Please visit their websites as well: jofischer.com, heliumcowboy.com, vimeo.com/faustheisler.

Ralf Becker 12.06.12 Ralf Becker 12.06.12

Alex Diamond: Magazine Drawings

One of my personal long-term objectives was to mix Motorkultur and Art. I had some discussions about giving my Poncho (which is white at the moment) as a canvas to an artist, another thought was to do some kind of Motorkultur-/Chromjuwelen-exhibition with galleries. But you know how it is — those soul projects always take some time. And time is money. Unfortunately.

Some days ago my favorite art dealer, Heliumcowboy Artspace, contacted me and asked if I could donate some car magazines to one of his artists, Alex Diamond. Alex Diamond is just producing a side kick — he is doing some artsy magazine rip offs (2007-2008; 2012). His work is drawn straight into the magazines with fine ink pens. On-the-road, instant artworks. I have seen some of them, and they are simply gorgeous.

So I gave it a try and donated an old issue of Carl*s Cars (oups – website broken?) which I had twice. Today Alex offered his fist set of drawings on Etsy (just hit one of the images above), which are stunning. It has never been easier to get some unique Motorkultur art.

Luke, we definetely have to talk soon. About a special Fuel Magazine edition. What do you think?

Ralf Becker 13.01.12 Ralf Becker 13.01.12

Monster Beats Solo HD vs. Bowers & Wilkins P5

I am a huge fan of my Monster Beats Solo HD by Dr. Dre. You might have noticed that already. I love the design, the colors, the thick cables and—of course—the phat sound. Although the quality is really crappy (I had to fix my headband and ear pads with (double-sided) duct tape), I never thought I would ditch 'em. Till that moment Bowers & Wilkins asked me if I would like to give their P5 headphones a shot.

To be honest: The conservative design of the P5 is not my cup of tea. Maybe I am not old enough for Bowers & Wilkins' restrained and classical design. But the quality of their luxury materials is unbelievably high. Ok, as I pull off the cables of my Monster Beats minimum three times a day (when the cable gets caught by door handles, for example), I will see how often I can do that with the P5.

Bowers & Wilkins gave me a pair of their headphones to play with them on my flight to Detroit. So I had enough time to compare them with my Monster Beats. The sound of the P5 is incredible. Once you get "used" to it. To explain it with an example: You probably know what it is like when you switch between snapping photos in a camera program mode and shooting raws. At that moment you shoot your first raws, your images looks pale, kinda washed out and somehow boring. But they are looking natural. No hotted up eye candy.

In comparison with switching your camera settings it is the same when you compare Monster Beats with Bowers & Wilkins P5. At the first moment the P5 may sound too soft. But it will not take long and you will not miss the typical "American" sound of Monster Beats any longer. But you will love the pure sound of Bowers & Wilkins.

Will I send them back to Bowers & Wilkins? No siree. I will case-mod 'em!