The 2014 Santa Fe Concorso

The forms, while static, give the impression of being in motion. Multiple, flowing lines sweep past me in complex curves, some converge, some drift apart as they recede into space. Sunlight glints off hand polished surfaces, gentle shifts from light to shadow give volume to intersecting planes, while views of the distant landscape delineate negative spaces around, and thus define the whole. I am moved, not physically, but in spirit, by the fruit of a great creative effort.

I could be talking about Umberto Boccioni’s 1913 Futurist bronze, “Unique Forms of Continuity in Space,” or the Ferrari Spyder featured on The 2014 Santa Fe Concorso program cover. The language of inspired design and craftsmanship, and the feelings we experience witnessing it, are universal.

Being a guy, I enjoy a natural affinity for curvy forms, and being at least partly a product of my culture I’m a car enthusiast, so, The Concorso coming up this weekend is a natural go to. If however you find yourself thinking, “I’m not into cars,” this is ok, but think again. That this is a car show is only the beginning of what it’s all about.

Enthusiasm is one of my favorite words, and has its roots in the Greek entheos (I’ll let you look that one up). It’s a great feeling when we have it, and when we see it in another, it’s infectious. This is the magic of going to The Concorso. As in great works of art, this quality, the touch of the enthused hand, the inspiration, is right before us and impossible to miss.

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I’m into paint. It started when I was fresh out of college and landed a job in a boatbuilding shop (which also gave me an eye for line and form). Early on I got handed a tack cloth and a brush and was given the task of varnishing mahogany brightwork. Up to ten coats of spar varnish would be applied to decks and hulls, with hours, sometimes days, of hand sanding in between. From this I developed a deep appreciation for the tender loving care put into any glossy, visually deep finish. Many of the cars at The Concorso have coats of paint so rich they look like they’ve been dipped in cream, then polished to a mirror finish. Literally, one can make out blades of grass or grain of pavement in the reflections.

The underlying body work… often in aluminum, sometimes in steel, or carbon fiber composite, is typically hand made. In the forms, and oh, those delightful curves… not an awkward line can be found. Breaks between panels are perfectly consistent, surfaces flow without interruption.

The details… edges with ever-changing and flawless radii, flowing tapered trim pieces, chromed and polished, all are beautifully fair curves. Relish hand stitched and deeply tanned leather upholstery, varnished wood burl or engine turned aluminum dashboards, and lead crystal headlamp lenses.

The hood ornaments… the Rolls Royce Spirit of Ecstasy, AC’s Greyhound of The Road, Hispano Suiza’s Georges Guynemer inspired flying stork, all symbolic of grace and motion.

The engines… the mechanical hearts of the beasts, many are technological marvels of their days. Machine work as lovely as jewelry, and not limited to what we can see on the outside. Disassemble one of these engines and you’ll find the same care and attention has been applied to the internal parts. Labors of love.

And the sounds… the clatter and gear whine of an early Porsche air-cooled flat 6, or the wild rasp of a Jaguar straight 6 at full song, the uneven syncopation of a flat plane crank Ferrari V12 firing up… Bella musica! When I have the opportunity to listen to these machines running I close my eyes to fully pay attention, tears often come.

You see, this is a feast for the senses and the spirit. This is about the risks inherent to innovation and the greatness of human endeavor. Whether a world-class sculpture garden or the grounds of The Concorso, what we partake in and come away with are the same: feelings of deep appreciation, inspiration and awe.

One hundred eleven cars from 1904 to 2015, eight motorcycles, and fourteen bicycles will be on display. I’ll be there.

Gordon Bunker

For more information, click here: The Santa Fe Concorso

Cover Photo: Winston Goodfellow

Graphic Design: Inkway