Vochol
Encyclopedia
The Vochol is a Volkswagen (VW) Beetle
that has been decorated with traditional Huichol
(Wirrárika) beadwork from the center-west of Mexico. The name is a combination of “vocho”, a popular term for VW Beetles in Mexico, and “Huichol”, the common name of the Wirrárika indigenous group. The project was sponsored by agencies associated with the Museo de Arte Popular, Mexico City
, the states of Jalisco
and Nayarit
and other public and private organizations. The Volkswagen was covered in 2,277,000 beads applied by eight artisans from two Huichol families in an exclusive design based on Huichol culture. Work on the car was finished in late 2010 and the car is scheduled to be auctioned off in the fall of 2011, with proceeds benefiting an organization dedicated to supporting Mexico’s artisans.
. Beadwork is a traditional Huichol craft that began by decorating bull horns, then gourds, masks, and jaguar head figures. Originally the craft was done with seeds, but is today done with plastic and glass beads. The craft is still evolving and the beadwork can be found on various modern materials, such as glass, stone, ceramics and metal. Traditionally, the beads are affixed with a kind of wax that comes from Campeche
.
and the Ortiz from the state of Nayarit
. The artisans worked under the direction of Francisco Bautista to decorate the chassis and interior of the vehicle in an exclusive design. For the artisans, the car was not only a source of employment, but also a way to promote their art and craftsmanship. The artisans clocked 4,760 hours using 2,277,000 beads that weighed ninety kilograms and fastened with sixteen kilograms of resin that can withstand 200° Celsius. The project at the Hospicio Cabañas in Guadalajara
lasted over seven months and began in May 2010. At a later stage, work continued at the Centro Estatal para las Culturas Populares e Indígenas in Nayarit. The final touches were placed on the car at the Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City.
The images represent Huichol deities and culture. These include, on the car's hood, two snakes above clouds, which represent rain. The back has images of offerings, and a canoe steered by a shaman. The sides show the gods of the sun, fire, corn, deer, and peyote
, all important to the Huichol culture. The roof contains a large sun and four eagles, which represent the union between man and the gods. There is also an Eye of God, which is a figure with five points. The center represents the source of life, the east represents light, strength and knowledge. The west is associated with the history of the ancestors; the south is associated with agriculture and the north is where history ends or the culmination of the elements. These directions are associated with the states of Jalisco (center), San Luis Potosí
(east), Nayarit (west), Colima
and Michoacán
(south) and Durango
(north). The front fenders contain the phrase “200 years of Independence” and “100 years since the Mexican Revolution” in the Wixarika language.
in December 2010. Afterwards, the car was taken to the Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City for exhibition. The next step is an international tour to have the work displayed in museums in various parts of the world including the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America. In the fall of 2011, the car will be auctioned off in New York City with a price expected to exceed two million pesos
. This money will go to benefit the Association of Friends of the Museo de Arte Popular. The association will use the money to continue its mission to help Mexican artisans export their work, instead of the artisans leaving Mexico to work. This assistance includes workshops for artisans and business advice, which as of 2009 had helped over 5,000 people.
Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003...
that has been decorated with traditional Huichol
Huichol
The Huichol or Wixáritari are a Native American ethnic group of western central Mexico, living in the Sierra Madre Occidental range in the Mexican states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Durango...
(Wirrárika) beadwork from the center-west of Mexico. The name is a combination of “vocho”, a popular term for VW Beetles in Mexico, and “Huichol”, the common name of the Wirrárika indigenous group. The project was sponsored by agencies associated with the Museo de Arte Popular, Mexico City
Museo de Arte Popular, Mexico City
The Museo de Arte Popular is an institution dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Mexican handcrafts and folk art. Located in the historic center of Mexico City in an old fire house, the museum has a collection which includes textiles, pottery, glass, piñatas, alebrijes, furniture and...
, the states of Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
and Nayarit
Nayarit
Nayarit officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Nayarit is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 20 municipalities and its capital city is Tepic.It is located in Western Mexico...
and other public and private organizations. The Volkswagen was covered in 2,277,000 beads applied by eight artisans from two Huichol families in an exclusive design based on Huichol culture. Work on the car was finished in late 2010 and the car is scheduled to be auctioned off in the fall of 2011, with proceeds benefiting an organization dedicated to supporting Mexico’s artisans.
Sponsorship and purpose
The work was sponsored by a number of private and public organizations including the Association of Friends of the Museo de Arte Popular, Secretaría de Cultura del Gobierno of the state of Jalisco and the Consejo Estatal para la Cultura y las Artes of the state of Nayarit. The purpose of the work was to create a folk art project for the 21st century that demonstrated the ritual nature, skill and culture of Huichol beadworkBeadwork
Beadwork is the art or craft of attaching beads to one another or to cloth, usually by the use of a needle and thread or soft, flexible wire. Most beadwork takes the form of jewelry or other personal adornment, but beads are also used in wall hangings and sculpture.Beadwork techniques are broadly...
. Beadwork is a traditional Huichol craft that began by decorating bull horns, then gourds, masks, and jaguar head figures. Originally the craft was done with seeds, but is today done with plastic and glass beads. The craft is still evolving and the beadwork can be found on various modern materials, such as glass, stone, ceramics and metal. Traditionally, the beads are affixed with a kind of wax that comes from Campeche
Campeche
Campeche is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Located in Southeast Mexico, it is bordered by the states of Yucatán to the north east, Quintana Roo to the east, and Tabasco to the south west...
.
The work
The work was created by eight artisans from two Huichol families, the Bautistas from state of JaliscoJalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
and the Ortiz from the state of Nayarit
Nayarit
Nayarit officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Nayarit is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 20 municipalities and its capital city is Tepic.It is located in Western Mexico...
. The artisans worked under the direction of Francisco Bautista to decorate the chassis and interior of the vehicle in an exclusive design. For the artisans, the car was not only a source of employment, but also a way to promote their art and craftsmanship. The artisans clocked 4,760 hours using 2,277,000 beads that weighed ninety kilograms and fastened with sixteen kilograms of resin that can withstand 200° Celsius. The project at the Hospicio Cabañas in Guadalajara
Guadalajara
Guadalajara may refer to:In Mexico:*Guadalajara, Jalisco, the capital of the state of Jalisco and second largest city in Mexico**Guadalajara Metropolitan Area*University of Guadalajara, a public university in Guadalajara, Jalisco...
lasted over seven months and began in May 2010. At a later stage, work continued at the Centro Estatal para las Culturas Populares e Indígenas in Nayarit. The final touches were placed on the car at the Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City.
The images represent Huichol deities and culture. These include, on the car's hood, two snakes above clouds, which represent rain. The back has images of offerings, and a canoe steered by a shaman. The sides show the gods of the sun, fire, corn, deer, and peyote
Peyote
Lophophora williamsii , better known by its common name Peyote , is a small, spineless cactus with psychoactive alkaloids, particularly mescaline.It is native to southwestern Texas and Mexico...
, all important to the Huichol culture. The roof contains a large sun and four eagles, which represent the union between man and the gods. There is also an Eye of God, which is a figure with five points. The center represents the source of life, the east represents light, strength and knowledge. The west is associated with the history of the ancestors; the south is associated with agriculture and the north is where history ends or the culmination of the elements. These directions are associated with the states of Jalisco (center), San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí officially Estado Libre y Soberano de San Luis Potosí is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is San Luis Potosí....
(east), Nayarit (west), Colima
Colima
Colima is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, make up the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It shares its name with its capital and main city, Colima....
and Michoacán
Michoacán
Michoacán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia...
(south) and Durango
Durango
Durango officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Durango is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. The state is located in Northwest Mexico. With a population of 1,632,934, it has Mexico's second-lowest population density, after Baja...
(north). The front fenders contain the phrase “200 years of Independence” and “100 years since the Mexican Revolution” in the Wixarika language.
Presentation and future of the work
After work was completed, the VW Beetle was unveiled at the eighth edition of the Zona MACO (México Arte Contemporáneo) in Guadalajara by the president of the Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes (Conaculta), Consuelo SáizarConsuelo Sáizar
Consuelo Sáizar Guerrero is a Mexican journalist and book editor.In 2009 President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa designated her as Director of the National Council for Culture and Arts .- References :...
in December 2010. Afterwards, the car was taken to the Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City for exhibition. The next step is an international tour to have the work displayed in museums in various parts of the world including the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America. In the fall of 2011, the car will be auctioned off in New York City with a price expected to exceed two million pesos
Mexican peso
The peso is the currency of Mexico. Modern peso and dollar currencies have a common origin in the 15th–19th century Spanish dollar, most continuing to use its sign, "$". The Mexican peso is the 12th most traded currency in the world, the third most traded in the Americas, and by far the most...
. This money will go to benefit the Association of Friends of the Museo de Arte Popular. The association will use the money to continue its mission to help Mexican artisans export their work, instead of the artisans leaving Mexico to work. This assistance includes workshops for artisans and business advice, which as of 2009 had helped over 5,000 people.