Gathering Steam: Neo-Victorian Aesthetics

"Art rarely requires practical reasoning."

-Rob Cunningham

The Daisy tricycle is a Neo-Victorian symbol in more than one way. Although the basic design of the Daisy tricycle can be interpreted as having Victorian influence, it is the combination of technological progression, alongside the extreme size and aesthetic that makes the Daisy tricycle an exceptionally Neo-Victorian icon. The enormous tricycle combines two very powerful ideologies from the Victorian era, the mechanical practicality of the industrial revolution with the extravagance of Victorian upper class.
During the 19th century Victorian England underwent an industrial revolution. Technological advancement and progression became a Victorian ideal as the world became more mechanized. People appreciated productivity and efficiency in the workplace as well as in daily life. At the same time, the upper class Victorian population lived a very lavished and extravagant life. Household objects like furniture and clothes were lavishly embroidered and decorated in excess. It is the combination of these two principles that makes the Daisy tricycle successful in spreading its message of energy awareness through art and inspiration.

"Aesthetically, we seem to have attracted artists with a style that harkens back to the days of simple machinery."
- Engineer Leigh Christie

It is the technological and mechanical aspects of Daisy that harkens back to the industrial revolution. Much like the advancements made during the 19th century, a majority of the technology used on Daisy is still quite modern. Solar powered locomotion is a very forward-thinking idea; and creating a giant tricycle powered by the sun definitely is somewhat foreign. This has clear ties to the mechanical expansion of the Victorian era. Most of the technology developed during this time was quite new and extremely forward in thinking. The efficiency of the technology used on the Daisy is also similar to the ideals of the industrial revolution. Daisy is designed to keep energy consumption low, while being as efficient as possible.
In the same way that the 19th century industrial revolution is juxtaposed against the elegance of the upper class Victorians, the Daisy tricycle’s technological and mechanical functions are juxtaposed against its extravagant and extreme design. Upper class Victorian society was enamored by the luxurious and excessive. What makes the Daisy tricycle extremely effective as a medium to generate discussion about energy awareness is its radical size and look. Through its extravagance it is able to gain attention and spark conversation. It is this relationship between these two concepts that makes the Daisy tricycle such an effective Neo-Victorian symbol.

"This looks so much like engineering that people constantly ask what it’s for, and which point I take particular pleasure in telling them, 'It’s art. Aside from thrilling and inspiring people, it’s useless.'"

-John Tippett