Misunderstood? An unpermitted look into the world of the Hells Angel
In 2019, the Netherlands became the first country worldwide that has completely banned the motorcycle club Hells Angels. But what does it even mean to be a Hells Angel? This book presents research into an international outlaw club, whose members usually don’t talk to police, media or public. Therefore, the investigation focuses on their visual language and communication codes like acronyms, patches, lyrics or hashtags. While the police describes the Hells Angels as a danger to society, the club members are protesting to defend their freedom. The look into this controversial topic gives an insight into a multi layered subculture.
Do members of the Hells Angels sell drugs and arms? Do they rule the red light districts? Are they violent and some even murderer? Are they love-seeking freedom fighters? Peaceful members of a motorbiking community? Are they victims of bad press and too strict laws? Do members fight the capitalistic state of western society or are they part of the global commercialised world? Are they free and independent men or are they a threat to a peaceful world? What culture is there to be defended or to be forbidden?
This book compares police reports with social media uploads, meanings of patches with the Hells Angels FAQs and poems with the comments below. It shows what you can buy in web shops that are connected to Hells Angels and the people who actually wears these things. It is segmented into the four chapters Respect, Outlaw, Free and Love. These words represent recurring values and ways of identification.
In the end of “Misunderstood? An unpermitted look into the world of the Hells Angels” three pages full of stickers can be found. It is a way to bring the reality of this subculture closer to the viewer and makes it tangible.
If you want to get some insights about this project, my design process and the first trimester of the Information Design (ID) Master students at the Design Academy Eindhoven, you can listen to our one hour radio show below!
