7 Bicicletas

Josep Mora / Antoine Fritsch

16/05/91. (Sala 128)

Presentation at La Sala Vinçon of 7 prototypes of bikes, made individually or in small series. Racing bikes have participated in various trials and special circuits. Seagul and Mantis, “stars” of the exhibition, are the result of the collaboration between Mora and Fritsch who also include machinery, furniture and other vehicles. The two bikes are designed and developed by computer-aided programmes in high-tech composite materials. This joint project has led to a development of systems that improve and break the traditional cliché of the product. 

Civilizations can be defined meaning materials have allowed men to manufacture their own tooling. Humanity has passed through what is known as the Stone, Bronze, Iron, steel and Aluminium Ages. In the XXI century we are entering in the Composite Age. In the broadest sense, a compound material or “composite” consists of a combination of two materials of different nature and complementary properties.

The result is a heterogeneous material, the general properties are superior to what each of the components initially possessed. The idea is not new: man has once again been inspired by nature, producing materials with a hierarchical configuration and function.

Wood, bamboo, the human body itself are examples of natural compounds that have inspired this new Age of Composite Materials in which we live. Designers Antoine Frisch and Josep Mora have managed to create new and use natural materials in a wise combination, to ensure the harmony, aesthetics and good performance of the products presented.

Pere Pagés Figueras
University Professor of Material Science, Director of l’ETSEIT

Original drawing by Jordi Bartoll

Barcelona, May 1991.