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TNT Traysikel

Michael Arcega: He // Him // His
Paolo Asuncion: He // Him // His
Rachel Lastimosa: She // Her // Hers

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

San Francisco, California

Two men and a woman wearing mechanic jumpsuits stand in front of a mural and pose around a traysikel, or Filipino motorcycle and sidecar. Paolo stands leaning against the sidecar with his arms crossed, Michael crouches in front of him on the edge of the sidecar and looks off to his right, and Rachel sits on the motorcycle. Behind them, several other motorcycles are parked in front of the mural.

Photo by Alvin Dizon.

The TNT Traysikel team (Michael Arcega, Paolo Asuncion, and Rachel Lastimosa) has lived in the Bay Area for over twenty years each. TNT Traysikel's work together started in SOMA Pilipinas’ Arts & Culture Committee to increase the visibility, empowerment, and acknowledgment of the Filipinx American community through the arts. Their free and inclusive activations have received support from SFAC, Awesome Foundation, Balay Kreative, Kapwa Gardens, SOMCAN, SFSU, APICC, Saint Joseph’s Arts Society, ICASF, Asian Art Museum, SFMOMA, Exploratorium, YBCA, and other community stakeholders. Their activities blur conventional and non-traditional art practices, taking sculptural, spatial, relational, performative, and cinematic form.

Michael Arcega is an educator and visual artist working primarily in sculpture and installation. Arcega has degrees from the SFAI and Stanford University. His work has been exhibited and discussed nationally and internationally. He lives and works in San Francisco as an Associate Professor of Art at SFSU.

Paolo Asuncion is a filmmaker and graphic designer who grew up in Manila. Asuncion's work uses the subculture as a springboard to explore subjects like religion, craft, family legacy, death, and sex trafficking. His films have garnered awards nationally and internationally. He lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Rachel Lastimosa is an interdisciplinary artist, producer, and performer who scores for theater and film and has toured nationally and internationally. Lastimosa's focus on the intersection of arts, culture, equity and wellness continues to be the foundation for her creative pursuits and community service.

Donor -The Rainin Arts Fellowship is supported by the Kenneth Rainin Foundation.

This artist page was last updated on: 08.20.2024

Interdisciplinary
A Philippine traysikel (motorized-covered sidecar) covered in colorful text, graphics, and designs sits in front of a blank backdrop. The traysikel is lit from underneath with bright colors. On the front of the sidecar cab, the phrase "TNT" is painted. Inside the cab, below the seat, the phrase "Absolutely Filipinos Allowed" is painted.

TNT Traysikel, 2018. Philippine-made sidecar, motorcycle, karaoke system, LED lights, custom paint, and accessories. Installation at Asian Art Museum.

A figure wearing a motorcycle helmet is driving a Philippine traysikel (motorized-covered sidecar) across a red bridge. In the background, a blue sky, some land, and part of the ocean are visible. Several cars are driving in the opposite direction. Behind the traysikel, other figures are riding motorcycles. On the far left side of the bridge, a few people are walking.

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge by TNT Traysikel, 2021.

A woman wearing a blue cap, white t-shirt, white pants, and white sneakers, with blonde hair that falls past her shoulders, is holding a microphone and standing in a crouched position, pointing toward an audience of people who are standing in a crowd in front of a brick wall. She is singing in front of a Philippine traysikel (motorized-covered sidecar).

TNT SideCaraoke Activation by TNT Traysikel, 2021. Performance at SFMOMA.

Photo by Beth LaBerge.