Formula 5000

About this print: “Formula 5000” was an image created from the artist’s experiences at Riverside Raceway in Southern California and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The car’s number “76” was a reference to the American Bicentennial year. Sitting in one of the Indianapolis cars led to the artist fantasizing himself as the driver and owner of the car imagined in the print.

About the series: Through his interest in sailing the artist became aware of the increasing significance of leisure time pursuits as an American cultural obsession. Increasing economic prosperity has allowed the average person more time off and the money for leisure time activities. The artist observed that identifying strongly with a specific sporting activity is akin to joining a sub-culture; a social group identified by a common dress, terminology, etiquette, and set of behaviors. During the years 1975 through 1978 Pond traveled extensively around the United States to create this series showing leisure time enthusiasts in their finest moments.