Mexico: Huichol Indian bead-dazzled Volkswagen Beetle

People look at a 1990s Volkswagen Beetle named "Vochol" during an exhibition on Huichol culture at the Museum of Puebla, near Mexico City August 10, 2011. The name "Vochol", was conceived from a combination of "Vocho," a popular term for Volkswagen Beetles in Mexico, and "Huichol", a Mexican indigenous group. The car was decorated by indigenous craftmen from the Huichol community living in the states of Nayarit and Jalisco, using traditional beads and fabric. According to local media, the work will be auctioned after its exhibition in Paris and Berlin next year, with funds and proceeds going to the Huichols.

(Picture taken August 10, 2011. REUTERS/Imelda Mediana)

• [PhantomPeanut]

  That is pretty cool. Must have taken forever to do. (I state the obvious)

• [travtastic]

  Damn!

• [Shannon Willson]

  Probably not a vehicle that one should take through the car wash…

• [Antinous / Moderator]

  Must not make Volvo joke.

• [Lisa Hunter]

  Woooww!  So cool.  But I bet the extra weight KILLS that gas mileage.  ;P

• [info]

  I have a small pottery piece like this from Mexico. They put hard wax on the item to be beaded and then press the small beads into the wax so it will hold. It is very intricate work and takes a good eye as well as patience.

  • [fnarf]

    The same tribe, the Huichol, do a similar art with small lengths of brightly-colored yarn as well. It’s really beautiful work, as gorgeous as any indigenous tribal art I’ve seen there. Wonderful to see it on a Bug; it very much is a part of their modern lives today.

  • [Jessie Tong]

    Interesting. Will it melt under the hot sun then, seeing that it is wax-based?

• [IckyMouse]

  This is one of the most fantastic things I’ve ever seen! 

• [cdh1971]

  Seeing this makes me feel energized – if only for a moment – I take it where I can find it.

• [pattihaskins]

  I love, love, love Huichol art and have a few pieces in my collection. I have been blogging about Huichol art for few years: http://pattihaskins.wordpress.com/?s=huichol&searchbutton=Go!

• [Shibi_SF]

  My brother-in-law has a Huichol family for neighbors (he lives in rural/coastal Nayarit).  I’ve watched the neighbor girls (between 5 and 10 yrs old) spend hours making intricate jewelry and art.  Tiny fingers and sharp eyesight make for detailed artisans, that’s for sure.  But, I’ve never seen them go to school.  : ( 

• [Michael Collins]

  As a Huichol Shaman I dont know what to think.  They had all the kids in the tribe doing this I’m sure. There are some terrible things that happen to the young beaders.  Exploitation of the worst kind to begin with.

• [alex4point0]

  Link from the artists – http://vocholaamap.blogspot.com/. I like they’re blinging it up for sale to the ‘first world’ with the proceeds going back to their village. Reverse Cargo Cult?

  Symbolism in detail http://vocholaamap.blogspot.com/2011/02/simbologia-huichol-huichol-symbolism.html

• [Edith Diaz]

  Beautiful handcrafted Vocho!!! Proud of the Huichol community!

• [Linus O’Leary]

  Holy Vocho! Absolutely stunning. Most beautiful ‘thing’ I’ve seen in awhile.. Whoda thunk it… A VW ‘Beadle’ being so awe inspiring.

• [Art]

  Magnificent!!!!

• [Jessie Tong]

  Extraordinary thing to do to a car. Hope it doesn’t get driven and risk being dented. Admirable craftsmanship and design, but I wouldn’t want to drive it.