Mike Arcega and Paolo Asuncion TNT Traysikel, 2020
Motorcycle, Philippine-made sidecar, karaoke system, burloloy, and enamel
5' x 5' x 6'
TNT Traysikel is a public artwork that engages the streets of San Francisco. Traysikels are ubiquitous transport vehicles in the Philippines but a rare sight in the United States; the artists are aware of 5 Philippine-made sidecar rigs in the US. For many, its existence in America contributes to a sense of belonging and comfort. This is amplified through karaoke activations called TNT SideCaraoke, where people come together to sing and celebrate in community.
This SFAC funded project is a collaboration between Michael Arcega and Paolo Asuncion. They have performed activations at SFMOMA, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, The Exploratorium, Saint Joseph’s Arts Society, Kapwa Gardens, Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco (ICASF), and the Chinatown Media Arts Collaborative (CMAC) among other venues. It was featured at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco as part of the exhibition, Carlos Villa: Worlds in Collision (June 2022).