entertainment
events
issues
music
art
hill opics
the university
wednesday
9.1.99
six.a
Artists take wacky wheels on the road
By Joel Francis Special to the Kansan
If the purpose of transportation is to get from point A to point B, then several community drivers have missed the point. For them, a car is more than a mode of transportation; it is a work of art and a way to have fun.
Bess Price, Overland Park junior,
never has trouble finding her car in
a parking lot. Her multi-color 1964
Chevrolet Biscayne is well-known to
students living in the dorms along
Engel Road.
"I was driving home and saw the car and did a double take," said Sara Nistler, Olathe sophomore, of the ornamented auto. "I had to ask everyone else in the car if they saw it too. I didn't know what to think of it; I thought it was interesting."
Price describes her car as the piece of modern art in the parking lot. Many of the objects — dolls, plastic action figures, sparkly objects, a violin case and a duck's head — were already attached when it became Price's car.
"Over 100 people have contributed things to it," Price said. "All of the things were put on there by fifth grade classes, teachers and friends. I find new things every day."
The car was Price's birthday present from her boyfriend.
"Ineeded a car desperately." Price said. "I guess he saw it, and it intrigued him. I was definitely startled when he gave it to me. It's quite a contrast to the other cars in the lot."
Price has a hard time choosing which item on the car she likes best.
Bess Price's Chevrolet dresses up Daisy Hill with its eclectic decorations.
Photo by Jay Soldner/ KANSAN
"It's not one thing that I like best," Price said. "If you take things individually, they are not as cool; It's a combination of minds fusing together."
The 14-passenger, 1974 Checker Airbus was transformed into a mobile mural by 15 students. The images include smiling faces, animals, flowers and colored patterns.
Central Junior High7th graders combined to give the VanGo Moblie Arts bus its unique look.
"It's an event when the limo comes," said Lynne Green, executive director of Van Go, 715 New Jersey St. "Kids come out, neighbors run out. We honk the 'ooghah horn' and people run out to see what the fuss is about."
VanGo delivers children to art projects around Lawrence. The program brings art into the lives of atrisk and low-income children.
"Van Go is about bringing joyful and good things to other children," Green said. "This theme is evident in the vibrant colors, children's faces and hands, pencils and signs of diversity and cultural acceptance."
The car had a colorful past before it reached Kansas.
"It was painted white then, and he put white plastic flowers all over it," Green continued. "We have a picture of my grandma riding on top next to a banner that says 'Grandmas for
"It used to belong to my cousin, a fashion designer in New York City," Green said, explaining the zebra-striped fur seats inside. "He put a megaphone and speakers in it and drove it in several gay-pride parades.
Gays."
The limo has become a calling card for the Van Go program and will be featured in the book Stretching It: The Story of the Limousine, available in spring 2000.
In 1995, Lawrence resident Charles Jones organized the Art Tougeau parade, which is held the first weekend in May, so people like Green could show off their cars. Jones also had a
personal stake in parade — he is an art car owner, too.
"In 1995, I got a 1983 Ford Escort from a repo man for $200," Jones said. "I had to fix it up and get it running, but I got it for the purpose of making an art car."
Jones chose the state motto "Ad Astra Per Aspera," which means to the stars through difficulties, as the theme of his car.
"It has spoons, sheet metal cut into stars and trophies," Jones said. "The stars are on the sides and the trophies on top. It means if you work hard and pursue your wish, you will achieve your dreams."
Jones said that his car features 60 to 70 trophies for fish, cowboys and go-kart drivers, among other things.
Kyle Miller, Baldwin freshman and his father, Alan, also transformed cars into art. They have two unusual cars in their collection: a wooden car with a Volkswagen base and a wrought-iron Volkswagen.
"The wood car used to belong to my neighbor," Kyle Miller said. "I worked for him and he always used it, but it was starting to get pretty rotted."
Kyle Miller bought the car with the hopes that he could rebuild it in three weeks. Two years later, he is almost done with the car.
Miller was no to use the wood car as his school car, but instead
Miller was hoping
opted for a pink 1959 Chevy.
The future of the car is uncertain.
"I had plans to make it street lega again, but once I got driving it I realized it wasn't too safe if it got hit, Miller said.
"Maybe if someone wanted to buy it, it'd be for sale," he said. "I always wanted to put together my own car. It may have taken longer than expected, but it's good to see a project come together."
Alan Miller received the openweave, wrought-iron Volkswagen from the late KU professor Lee Miller, who is no relation.
*Charles Jones*
trophy car is a
real winner.
Photo by Jamie
Roper/KANS
AN
"Lee said if I could get it running I "leave it have it," Alan Miller said. "I had to drag it home because it was locked up. I had to buy another Volkswagen, take the body off, take the wrought iron body off add substitute chaises."
Alan Miller said he understood why art cars brought enjoyment not only to the owners, but to everyone who sees them.
"It's a piece of folk art," he said. "It never ceases to bring enjoyment."