Hitch a ride home

Carthedral F.A.Q.s

Q: Did your boyfriend build this for you?

A: No, butthead

Q: Really? you built this? a woman? Really? I would have thought some ugly Rob Zombie type guy made this, but a woman? Really?

A: Is that so hard to believe? sheesh.

Q: What is it?

A: an Art Car

Q: What's an art car?

A: an Art Car can be any motor vehicle that's been permanently, artistically altered.

Q: What's it made of?

A: Carthedral is made of metal, fiberglass, and found objects

Q: Is that another car on top?

A: Yes, it's a VW bug

Q: How did you get the bug up there?

A: forklift

Q: Can you stand up in there?

A: Yes, I removed the ceiling in the hearse so I can stand up. There is a little shelf big enough to sit on where the back seat of the bug used to be, otherwise it is completely open.

Q: Do you sleep in there?

A: Yes, it is quite comfortable.

Q: Do you live in there?

A: Not any more!

Q: Why did you do this?

Before I answer this, let me first say that WHY questions are the most difficult to answer. There is no one quick reason. So, I have compiled a short list of various responses I might give, depending on my mood, how much time I have to answer, and who asked the question. I think you will find that none of these answers are very satisfactory.

Answers to "Why did you do this?":

Why not? (answering a why question with a why question cancels out the why...who ever thought of this was very clever...)

Why do anything? (here's another one...make the questioner contemplate the why's of life and gets me off the hook at the same time)

Someone had to make it (cosmic)

Because the voices told me to (schizophrenic)

It seemed like the thing to do at the time (apologetic...I don't really like this one...but it's kinda funny in a pathetic way)

If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand (arrogant)

I am an artist and this is my art (vague)

Q: Is it street legal?

A: Yes

Objects in mirror are closer than they appear

 

Q: Don't you cause accidents everywhere?

A: No, I have never caused an accident (knock wood) People seem to be used to distraction on the road...with cell phones, fax machines, and animated billboards, people have become good at "multi-tasking"...some people just ignore me. They don't want to give me the satisfaction. I am like road entertainment. During your commute to work or that boring ride to grandma's house, you might catch me driving too and hopefully you'll freak out but stay in your lane while you do!

Q: Do you get hassled by the police?

A: Nope. They have left me alone so far. As long as I obey traffic laws, I am not doing anything illegal. There aren't any laws against decorating a car or designing your own car. as long as you comply with vehicle codes, use common sense, and drive consciously. I have met many officers who just want to look, take pictures, or ask questions. It's almost as if they forget for a moment that they are police and they become little kids again...but there's probably gonna be that one cop out there who's gonna try to get me for something. They have to realize that I would be stupid to try and get away with anything illegal in that car...I mean, come on. I can just hear it over the police radio: "....the suspects are heading west bound goin about 60 mph....a little faster on the downhill...be on the lookout for a.......black ...1971 gothic cathedral...I repeat....1971.... gothic cathedral....the suspects are thought to be armed with a welder and a caulking gun..."

Q: How tall is it?

A: 12'10"

Q: Do you have to watch out for low overpasses?

A: Yes I do...however, I am under legal height limit which I believe is 13'6" (the height minimum for federal funded highways)...overpasses on commercial highways nationwide will not be lower than this. If they are, it is usually clearly marked and I follow signs for trucks. I just learned that on the East coast, especially New York, there are low overpasses that out of town trucks will often hit. So I would have to be careful if I ever made it out to the Northeast. I have to watch out for low tree branches and wires too.

Q: Is it top heavy?

A: No, not like you'd think. It handles great. You don't even feel the extra height when your driving.

Q: Do you have trouble in high winds?

A: I feel winds like you would in any large vehicle...but it takes alot to move me around

Q: How fast can you go?

A: I travel the speed limit...Carthedral can cruise at 75 mph on the freeway, but I normally keep it around 65 mph

Q: What's your gas mileage like?

A: I get about 11 miles to the gallon

Q: Do you drive this every day?

A: No, it's not a commutor, it's more like an RV

Q: What do you drive every day?

A: A 1962 Dodge Lancer

Q: How often do you take it out? Where can I find it?

A: I live in Oakland, California... so I have mainly been in the here on the west coast: the northwest, southwest and as far east as Houston, Texas. I hope to take it farther east someday. I take Carthedral out at least once a month, and depending on the time of year, I take it out more...click here to find out where I've been and where I am going next

Q: How much does it weigh?

A: 7500 lbs

Q: How long did it take you to make this?

A: I started in October 1999

Q: Is it finished?

A: No, Carthedral is a work in progress

Q: What else are you going to do?

A: You'll have to just wait and see! I make it up as I go along...and as the materials present themselves and the inspiration hits me.

Q: Hold on a minute... back up...do you have the tech specs of the original car? I mean, just how much weight do you hope the suspension will stand? You said it's work in progress and that you'll be adding stuff...

A: The hearse started out at around 6100 lbs...but remember that it was designed to carry upwards of 1000lbs of payload (those lead lined caskets are pretty heavy). We also just upgraded the rear suspension, with custom made springs and adjustable air shocks. while we don't know how much weight these new springs will handle, we're about 2 inches higher than stock, and the bulk of the weight is already on the car. the 472 cu.inch engine doesn't seem to mind, we're getting the same gas mileage as stock.

Q: What's the interior like?

A: It's my secret sanctuary...

Q: Where did you get all the stuff?

A: Garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores, and donations from friends

Q: Why have you painted Carthedral flat black? I think it would look a lot better if it were shiny...

A: I think you would have to see Carthedral in person in order to fully understand my aesthetic. I might be able to explain by saying that Carthedral is less about preserving or presenting a conventional surface, and more about a sculptural, tactile, decaying surface. In other words, I come from more of an artistic place than a car enthusiast place...I hope that makes sense. I am of course associating a 'shiny' surface with a 'flawless' surface...(that is how you get the best shine after all!) I think 'flaws' are human, natural, and beautiful.

Q: How much did it cost to do this to your car?

A: Sorry, I don't know...I don't keep track. I am not wealthy...just resourceful. Once you start a project like this, you'd be amazed how your friends and neighbors get involved and try to contribute what they can. You can often find me at junk yards, flea markets and in dumpsters.

 

 

Frequently Asked Personal Questions about REBECCA (you people are so nosey)

Q: Are you married?

A:YES

Q: How old are you?

A: I was born June 28th, 1971

Q: Are you a Goth?

A: I don't think so. but I think I fit some people's defintion because I get called that a lot. But by more rigid standards, I would have to say no. My taste range in music is wide and spans many genres. My clothes, although mostly black, are simple...nothing fancy. It might be more accurate to say that I have 'gothic tendencies'. But, I have to say that like most people, I don't like the idea of being labeled, stereotyped, etc etc etc

Q: Are you a Witch?

A: I don't think so. but I think I fit some people's definition because I get called that a lot. But by more rigid standards, I would have to say no. My religious propensity is wide in range and spans many philosophies. My clothes, although black, are simple, nothing fancy. It might be more accurate to say that I have 'witchy tendencies'. But I have to say that like most people, I don't like the idea of being labeled, stereotyped, etc etc etc (I think questions like these are as ridiculous as my answers, does it really make a difference whether I consider myself a Goth or a Witch or a whatever??? I am what I am, and I think it is none of these things or all of these things and beyond)

Q: Why do you always wear black?

A: Hey! This is one of those questions I have several different answers for depending on my mood, how much time I have, how the person asked the questions, etc ...so here's a few answers:

-Black goes with everthing!

-Because it's thinning

-Black absorbs and transforms negative energies rendering them neutral so I can use this recycled neutral energy for my own witchy spell work!

-Black is classic, elegant, mysterious, and spooky. I like it.

-Having only black clothes makes it that much easier to get dressed in the morning. one less decision.

-Wearing black at night is the cloak of invisibility...so I can sneak around and be mischevious!

Q: Are those real tattoos or are they henna?

A: They are real tattoos

Q: Do you do drugs?

A: All I have to say is: I have a healthy relationship with all of my vices. Which are few. I don't smoke pot or tobacco....I like red wine.....I am trying to cut down on caffiene and sugar but I am addicted to my morning cup...did I answer your question? I didn't think so...if I had to answer yes or no...I would say no.

Q: Is that a Chihuahua?

A: No, Bella is a Miniature Pinscher, she is three and half years old, she weighs eight pounds, and she goes with me everywhere.

Q: Is anything about you normal?

A: Yes. In fact I am so normal, I have become ultra-normal, hyper-normal, and meta-normal. I am so human, it hurts.

Q: Do you have a job?

A: You mean do I work? No, not really. I wouln't consider it work only because work implies labor, and although I put effort in to things, I don't labor over them. My occupation is art and and learning more about art. Art=Life and Life=Art. My job is to remind people that life is wonderous and magical and beautiful, and death is wonderous and magical and beautiful too.

Q: If Carthedral isn't your every day car, what DO you drive everyday?

A : A 1962 Dodge Lancer. Black on the outside and red on the inside.

Q: Do you make other art?

A: Yes, I like to paint and draw pictures of things. I write too. I am writing now.

Q: What does your mother say about the things you do?

A: My mother thinks I'm totally cool....she encourages me to live an extraordinary life...because life is grand, so why not be grandiose?


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