Art Car Parade

Join myself and my friends, students, artists and members of the public in the SECOND EVER ART CAR PARADE IN LONDON FOR THE SUMMER OF 2011!

Be prepared for a day of high octane adventure and excitement, beginning with the improvisation and completion of your art car in the morning from 9.30am and starting the parade at 1.30pm. We may be travelling as an 'unofficial convoy' of vehicles - what that means is that and we will be moving at normal speeds to keep up with the flow of traffic and obeying all traffic regulations.

The express intention of the London Art Car Parade is to inspire colourful conversation and bring a sense of joy and play into people's lives. As a moving public art installation we are bringing art directly to the people on the streets and encouraging the public to question what the role of art is....We therefore hope to connect with many people who wouldn't normally have the natural inclination and confidence to enter a so called 'art gallery'.

The parade will be a mix of permanently transformed 'art cars' and those that are adorned and dressed for the day like a carnival. Live performances are planned for the finish of our journey and we will complete the parade at the end of the day by lighting up large paper lanterns and seeing them float into the sky.

Nearer the time I shall be confirming details of the exact date and route. Also there will be a list of the various 'functionaries' and contact people so if you would like to volunteer your skills and services before, at the Art Car Workshops as well as the day of the parade we would be delighted to hear from you.

Given that lst year's parade was 'unofficial', ie 'an event' that hadn't planned permission we shall see what transpires from our meetings this year with the local council - it could be that this will remain its status. There is a slight chance therefore that those participating could be stopped by the police. We were actually stopped once on the parade in 2009 on the inner Regents Park Circle because we were making too much noise and it was affecting the performers at the Open Air Theatre - my mistake I had overlooked the effects of our car horns on people's concentration. However no-one was asked to remove anything - rather just not to hang off the car itself because of safety. It is not illegal to adorn your car as long as it isn't dangerous (ie. weddings) but if the police stop you, apologise and remove the offending item.

Having sought some advice from a police officer their major concerns are of us not holding up traffic and having anything on the car which if it crashed or dropped off could be conceived as dangerous to public safety.

Each person who wants to be involved is encouraged to work with at least one other in the creation of their car and through the Art Car Workshops you will gain access to a range of techniques and support to realise your ideas. I am happy to add one or two additional workshops if needed so that you have support all the way in realising your vision. I have a small reserve of money to provide inspiration in terms of a pool of materials, however the decoration of your car will utlimately be left to you and the members of your team and I will assist in any way I can.

The Art Car Parade is called London Art Car Parade and the THEME of the art car parade is deliberately open to interpretation to encourage people's free creative expression. As the organiser of this event it would be helpful to me if you could submit a visual drawing/photo of your idea for your car especially if you are unable to attend any of the workshops. That way I can coordinate the 'visual feel' of the event and create a 'running order' for the day.

Slogan car at the Art Car Fest 2006. Photo by L. Marie at www.flickr.com/photos/lenore-m		Condom car in the street - photo by Ru Temple - see www.flickr.com/photos/rtds

WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR ART CAR TO SAY ABOUT YOU/ LIFE?

Perhaps you have a vision of covering your car with feathers.........maybe you have the concept of the'mad hatter' and want to adorn your car with funky hats. It could be that you just want to wrap your car in paper and give it a spontaneous 'paint job' or perhaps you're inspired to bring the 'fruits' of summer to the streets with strings of cut and decorated fruit. You may alternatively have something you really want to say about 'climate change' or the 'economy' and want to festoon your car with colourful slogans.....I recommend taking a look at the fabulous art car sites on the links page for inspiration and reading through the techniques page for some additional thoughts on decor.

I have included some information below about the Chakras which if you don't know is an ancient system for mapping 'consciousness' in life from India. I've put this as a reference partly because I'm a colour diva and the chakras are all about colour and also because having worked with them for the past 8 years they are a simple 'holistic' system that seems to encapsulate the whole range of human concerns and motivations in life.

	The Chakras in all their rainbow splendour - textile installation

1~ the ROOT CHAKRA, Colour : Red

The root chakra, Muladhara chakra is located at the perineum between the anus and the sex and literally means ‘root support’. Its function is one of grounding, or rooting and its related to the very physical of all elements, earth. The colour associated with muladhara chakra is red and this chakra is concerned with ‘survival’ and meeting the basic physical needs for safety, nourishment and stability. It represents our relationship to our basic material existence and consequently relates to those forms of support that nourish our material lives, from family and friends to money. Furthermore some would say that security is not something static and solid but rather the energy that is available to us in order to adapt to the ever-changing vista of life. Which is why physical health and wellbeing is so vital a foundation in our lives. QUESTION: Is there anything you want to express about the earth and its resources and how they nourish your life through the 'vehicle' of your car?

2~ the SEX /SACRAL CHAKRA, Colour : Orange

Where the 1st chakra seeks to hold on and create structure and form, the second chakras’s purpose is to let go and let flow, energetically connecting one thing with another. The second chakra, Swadhisthana means sweetness and its elemental is water, governing the body’s liquid functionality. The motion of energy through the body is felt as e-motion and it is this centre which is the seat of our emotions, in particular, pleasure and pain. Invariably life is the pursuit of pleasure and a moving away from pain. Pleasuring the senses, procreation and the adventure of sexual expression and connection is therefore a part of this centre. Since the sexual revolution of the 60’s and the concurrent accessibility of contraception, sex has taken central stage. Seemingly everybody is doing it and in every position. In reality of course, there remains tremendous confusion, disappointment and shame. However there is a renewed interest in practises such as Tantra yoga which teaches that the body is sacred and that the arousal of the senses through various psycho-physical practices can bring ecstasy, joy and even enlightenment. QUESTION: What if anything do you have to say about the dance of pleasure and pain in your life and what might that look like on an art car?

3~ the POWER CHAKRA, Colour : Yellow

Whereas the 1st chakra seeks to create structure, stability and form, the second chakra’s purpose, to experience movement, difference and flow, the 3rd chakra’s focus is transformation, dynamic energy and power. Manipura chakra means ‘lustrous gem’ and is represented by the element of fire - it is your internal fire bringing warmth and enthusiasm to all your actions, your internal sun - it is your get up and go - your power, your self confidence and ability to act, to shape your life at your will. It is this centre which needs to be activated in support of you defining and achieving what it is you truly want in life. It is visualised as a brilliant sunlight yellow and the fire of this centre can purify, burn or cut away any elements that no longer serve you or others in life. QUESTION: looking at the concept of power and empowerment of yourself and others in life, is there something you are really committed to sharing using words and symbols on your car?

4~ the HEART CHAKRA, Colour : Green


Anahata, the heart chakra means "unstruck", "fresh' and 'clean". When the chakra is free from the constriction and pain from past hurts its opening is innocent, fresh and radiant. Love is central to the heart chakra, the unifying force that draws things together and keeps them in relationship. Love, approval and forgiveness are the fundamental ingredients of your journey of personal growth because they promote self-acceptance, so vital in loving ourselves and our lives. Other qualities associated with anahata chakra are beauty, joy, balance, flow, forgiveness and peace. The colours associated with the heart chakra are green, like the verdant green of nature, and pink. (red of the root chakra with white of the crown chakra producing pink) Air is the element that most resonates with the quality of love and it invites us to lighten and rise up and see life from a fresh perspective. QUESTION: What do you love about life and how could you show that on an art car?

5~ the THROAT CHAKRA, Colour : Turqoise Blue


Visuddha, the chakra at the throat means 'purification' and it governs the function of creativity and communication. Communication is the process of transmitting and receiving information through symbols/language and clearly is an act of connection moving from the personal out into the world. Creative expression is a process of exploration, play and adventure, a delving into the unknown to reveal something about the mysteries of the universe and life itself. It is here that we learn to 'find our voice' and 'speak our truth in the world' and consequently this is the centre associated with the creation of 'sound'. We choose to express and share our ideas, our values and feelings about life within our 'communities' using an abundance of languages, from music making to gardening, from cooking to interior design, from dressing up to the types of businesses we support. QUESTION: What do you want to share with others about your experience of adventure and play in life and how could you communicate the spirit of play on your car?

6~ the BROW CHAKRA, Colour : Purple


Ajna Chakra is located in the centre of your forehead and means "to perceive" and "to command" illustrating its two fold nature, the passive and the active. We take in and absorb images and we create our reality by using the power of our imagination - by seeing what has not been seen before. It therefore relates to the quality of 'seeing', visualisation, colour and light and connects to the more mental aspect of the body. Through accessing the brow chakra one is able to observe the patterns of thinking and review the beliefs that are shaping one's life. It is here that we examine what's really important and of value in life and how we can imagine our contribution to life as it unfolds. This is the absolute centre of vision, and where we can really begin to magically create something new with the power of your imaginations. QUESTION : What art have you found absolutely inspiring and what was it's message and how might you express that essence on your car?

7- the CROWN CHAKRA, Colour : White


Sahasrara Chakra is located at the crown of the head and means ‘thousandfold’. It is traditionally visualised in the Indian system of the chakras, as a thousand petalled lotus blooming from the top of your head. This energy centre connects us to divine intelligence and the absolute mystery of life. It represents 'the source' of all manifestation here on earth. It is the centre where we experience union with all of life, everything and nothing.......and is experienced as a piercing through of the 'apparent illusion' of our varied and separate life forms to the radiant essence of what we all are. This is therefore the energetic centre of grace and gratitude as we feel that something far greater than our egotistical fearful selves,is at work in our lives. We recognise what a blessing and miracle it is to be alive. QUESTION : If you were to share one miracle or blessing in your life on your art car what would that be?

Birds of Paradise car owned by Marilyn Dreampeace, painted by Kelly Lyles. Photo from L. Marie's photostream at flickr.com		Beautifully painted Hub caps - photo by L. Marie - see www.flickr.com/photos/lenore-m