The Amazing Vochol

This is amazing. A friend recently brought it to my attention, and even though it's been around for about seven years it's new to me.  What is it?  It's the Vochol, a Volkswagen Beetle that has been decorated with traditional Hoichol beadwork from the center-west of Mexico. 

Google it and you'll find links to numerous articles.  I copied most of this information from the Wikipedia site (click on the link if you want to go there).

Vochol, front view

​The name is a combination of “vocho”, a popular term for VW Beetles in Mexico, and “Huichol”, the common name of a tribal indigenous group and their traditional beadwork.

Vochol, top

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.  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 beadwork.  

Vochol, dashboard and steering wheel

​The artisans clocked 4,760 hours using beads that weighed ninety kilograms and fastened with sixteen kilograms of resin that can withstand 200° Celsius. The project lasted over seven months and began in May 2010. 

In progress

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. 

Vochol, hood

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. 

Inspired?  Thought so.  No more procrastinating: Get out there and bead!

Side view

Inside

Back view