How to Create an Art Car
Some people call them art cars, others prefer the term mutant vehicles. Filmmaker Harrod Blank settled for calling them wild wheels, which is what he titled his documentary about these customized vehicles. These are the rolling sculptures that inspire passerby to look and look again, posing the question, "Did a spaceship land on the hood of that car?" Absolutely. Or it could be an old station wagon covered in rubber monsters or a motorized shrine begging to be worshiped. If your car is starting to look a little plain Jane in comparison, take heart. You needn't be Leonardo da Vinci or even Big Daddy Roth to pimp your ride. A glue gun and some found treasures should do the trick.
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Instructions
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Sacrifice your car to the art gods. You can go halfway by making a temporary art car to start. Get magnets, washable paint, paper decorations or create a shrine of misfit toys on your dashboard. If you're ready to go whole hog, you have a couple options. You can maintain the basic shape and mechanics of your vehicle and altar the outside, or you can follow in the footsteps of some dedicated "cartists" and dismantle and recreate the entire frame.
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Seek inspiration. You can watch the "Wild Wheels" documentary or cruise around town looking for visionary vehicles. If you are deeply motivated, head out to one of the art car museums. Houston is home to the Garage Majal, while Douglas, Arizona has Art Car World. Baltimore's Visionary Art Museum has a few gems on exhibit that participated in its annual Kinetic Sculpture Race. Larry Fuentes is a living legend for his "Mad Cad," coated in beads, gems, statuettes, shoe soles and pink flamingos. John Merlie and Jake Goldstein's "Von Tiki" is a motorized Tiki bar with bamboo exterior, windshield wipers that squirt Tequila, totem figure headlights and an AstroTurf interior.
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Select an adhesive. Hot glue guns can handle the basics, such as toys, fun fur, feathers, baubles and souvenirs. Hot glue cannot support heavier items, especially in harsh weather conditions. Some options include wiring items to the car body, using buckets of super glue or applying Gorilla glue. Metal items can be welded. Don't forget about the miracles inherent in duct tape.
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Assemble some friends. Making an art car takes some endurance, so offer free beverages and snacks and then break out the glue. If you're working on an overall pattern, say a mosaic paisley, create a diagram or sketch out your design on the car itself. This will help your partners in crime stay consistent with your vision.
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Hit the road. Art cars are made to be seen. Tooling around town is always charming, but a true cartist takes to the road. Major cities throughout the United States host art car events, art car parades and festivals that welcome wild wheels. Some people manage to make a career out of their car art, showing their vehicles in galleries or taking commissions to alter other people's autos. Some people promote a cause with their art cars, others have a religious mission and others simply have the goal of enjoying themselves.
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Tips & Warnings
Prepare your response to the question, "Why did you do that?"
Neighbors may not be as open-minded about your art car.
Be sure that your altered car is legal to drive, and that your view isn't compromised.
Resources
- Photo Credit Kelly Isreal
