New Wave Legend Turns Designer

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Share When art-rock band Talking Heads formed in the '70s, much was made of the fact that the bandmates, known for monster hit songs like "Once in a Lifetime" and "Psycho Killer," met at art school. Now, the band's singer and frontman David Byrne is returning to his creative roots with his latest project, designing bike racks that are causing a sensation on the streets of New York City.

An avid biker for 30 years, Byrne was originally invited to serve on a panel of jurors for an indoor and outdoor bike rack design contest sponsored by the New York City Department of Transportation in conjunction with New York art gallery PaceWildenstein. The singer/songwriter was inspired to submit some of his own designs � which prove he didn't need the Talking Heads to leave his mark. Nine unique, David Byrne-designed bike racks will now be installed around New York City, where they will remain for 364 days. His designs include a dog, a high-heeled shoe, a car, a coffee cup and a silhouette of a woman reminiscent of the "mud flap girl" spotted on trucks across the country � all inspired by the city he lives in. Despite Byrne's sudden emergence as a Bike Rack Design God, the contest has continued, and awards will be distributed to other winning designs at the end of September.

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