AHF Release Buchan FINAL 070114 (1).Pages
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NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Automotive Hall of Fame Presents an Exhibition of Fine Art, “Driving Greatness: Bringing the Past into the Future – The Art of Alexander Buchan” August 1 through September 28, 2014 DEARBORN, Mich., July 1, 2014 – Commemorating the men and women whose automotive innovations changed the world and revolutionized our way of life, the Automotive Hall of Fame is pleased to present an exhibition of fine art, “Driving Greatness: Bringing the Past into the Future – the Art of Alexander Buchan.” The new exhibition will open Friday, Aug. 1, 2014 and run through Sunday, Sept. 28 at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Mich. “Driving Greatness” includes more than one dozen bronze sculptures by Alexander Buchan, a Michigan artist specializing in automotive themes. “The Automotive Hall of Fame is honored to present the work of Alexander Buchan,” William R. Chapin, president of the Automotive Hall of Fame, said. “Our institution commemorates the remarkable people who have advanced automotive transportation to make ours a better world. Mr. Buchan’s sculptures seem to connect us in the present day directly to these special people, vehicles and moments in time from automotive history.” The exhibition also features one of the actual automobiles and the sculpture that it inspired: “Dream Cruise – the 1932 Ford Highboy.” The piece depicts a couple motoring in the Ford roadster, a favorite of original owners and those who modified the vehicle and its reliable flathead V-8 engine over the decades. Capturing remarkable moments, vehicles and figures in automotive history, Mr. Buchan’s works often feature Honorees of the Automotive Hall of Fame, including Louis Chevrolet, Barney Oldfield and Ralph DePalma, and one 2014 inductee, Keith Crain. In the exhibition, Buchan’s painted bronze sculptures include depictions of the final lap of a historic race, a record-setting drive, and the emotions inspired by creating a special engine or driving a remarkable vehicle. “Driving Greatness: Bringing the Past into the Future – the Art of Alexander Buchan” runs August 1-September 28, 2014 at the Automotive Hall of Fame, located at 21400 Oakwood Boulevfard, Dearborn, Michigan, 48124. The Automotive Hall of Fame is located adjacent to The Henry Ford. The Automotive Hall of Fame is open Wednesdays through Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The musuem is closed some holidays, including the Fourth of July. The exhibition is free for those with paid museum admission: $ 8 for adults, $6 for students (ages 13-18) and senior citizens, and $4 for youth (ages 5-12). More information is available online at www.automotivehallofame.org. Himself a genuine “car guy,” Alexander Buchan was a member of General Motors Corporation Design Studio for 38 years, including service as chief design sculptor. He has won numerous awards for his work as a sculptor. In his bronze works, he employs the lost wax process to create accurate and detailed sculptures that can last millennia. More information and links to a photo gallery of Mr. Buchan's work is available at www.alexnaderbuchan.com. Alexander Buchan, Automotive Artist Mr. Buchan is one of a small number of sculptors who specialize in automotive themes. Experts regard his automotive artworks as exceptional in their beauty, craftsmanship and historic significance. Using the “lost wax” process once popular to the 18th century, Mr. Buchan’s work helps preserve automotive history and a unique process that dates back millennia. His themes include freedom, speed and excitement. His subjects include classic and racing automobiles and motorcycles, as well as historic figures and the beauty of the human form. Among the moments, men and machines preserved for us to enjoy are “The Fastest Man on Earth,” the Packard 905 driven by Ralph DePalma to a world speed record of 149.9 mph at Daytona Beach in 1919; “Riding the Rail,” the 1920 Indian Flxi Motorcycle driven by Floyd “Pop” Dreyer, who practically stood on his sidecar to take the curves; “24 Heures du Mans” when Lord Earl Howe and Henry “Tim” Birkin took a victory lap in their 1931 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300; “The Leader Car,” the 1959 Watson Roadster driven by Roger Ward at the Indianapolis 500, leading from qualifying to every race lap to the winner’s circle. Alexander Buchan served 38 years as Chief Design Sculptor for General Motor’s Design Studio. In that role, he was part of the design team that shaped many of GM’s most popular production and spectacular concept vehicles. As part of his responsibilities, Mr. Buchan took designers’ drawings and turned them into 3-dimensional renderings in clay. Mr. Buchan received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial design from Wayne State University. He also has taught sculpture at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. Each year, Mr. Buchan exhibits at several automotive exhibitions. He also works on commissions from his Michigan studio. To view examples of his work, and for a complete list of events and exhibitions, visit www.AlexanderBuchan.com. Mr. Buchan has won numerous awards for his work as a sculptor specializing in automotive themes. In 2001 and 2003 he received the Stan Wanlass “Spirit of Automobile” award, the top honor for artists at the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance. In 2004 and 2005, his work was judged “Best of Show” at the Bay Harbor Concours in Petoskey, Mich. The Eyes on Design “Best of Show” went to Buchan in 1997 and 1998 at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich. He also has received the David R. Hollis Award, recognizing the artist whose work best exemplifies the form and style of the automobile, at the 2008 Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance. About the Automotive Hall of Fame Located in Dearborn, Michigan, the Automotive Hall of Fame preserves and celebrates outstanding automotive achievement. Since its founding in 1939, the Automotive Hall of Fame has honored nearly 800 men and women from around the world. In 1939, a group of men met in New York City and created the “Automobile Old Timers,” an organization dedicated to honoring pioneers from all parts of the automotive industry. The organization moved to Washington, D.C. in 1960. Then in 1971, it moved to the grounds of Northwood Institute (now Northwood University) in Midland, Michigan. The first permanent Automotive Hall of Fame building was built on the Northwood campus in 1975. In 1997, another group of dedicated automotive aficionados moved the Automotive Hall of Fame to its present location next to The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. Today, the Automotive Hall of Fame attracts visitors from around the world and serves as the auto industry’s chief storyteller. MEDIA CONTACTS: William R. Chapin Automotive Hall of Fame 21400 Oakwood Blvd. Dearborn, MI 48124 313-240-4000 (ofce) 313-720-9982 (mobile) [email protected] Melissa Bunker MarketWrite, LLC 313-886-9074 [email protected] – 30 – .