Voodoo Guitar "Marie" made by Don Moser with debris from Hurricane Katrina

Object Details

Created by

Don Moser, American

Description

The Voodoo Guitar (.1) used by Don Moser of Swampkat. The 6-string electric guitar is wooden with metal-plated head and body. A plaque on the head features text that reads [KATRINA - AUG - 29- 2005]. Metal letters are adhered along one side and the bottom of the head, following the curve [NEW ORLEANS / VOODOO]. Multiple "windows" were built into the guitar head. Contents include objects such as a voodoo doll and rhinestone fleur de lis brooch. At the center of the head, a figurine is attached atop the strings. It is shaped like a cross. Its top half is black, while the bottom is white and covered with multi-colored beads. Brown hair-like fibers extend out of the top and two arms. A handwritten letter (.2) on white paper with rough, burned edges is attached under the strings. It visually blocks part of the head and reads [DEAR KEVIN, / THANKS FOR ALL THE HARD WORK YOU AND / YOUR TEAM HAS PUT INTO THE VOODOO GUITAR / PROJECT. / I'VE ENJOYED EVERY MIN. OF THE JOURNEY. / THIS IS THE VOODOO GUITAR. PLEASE TAKE / EXTRA CARE OF HER, I GROWN QUITE FOND OF HER! / THE GUITAR IS SET UP AND PLAYS GREAT, SHE SOUNDS / LIKE THE DEVIL MOVING FURNITURE! / BLESSINGS / DON]. The back of the neck is light-colored wood, and the back of the head is dark wood. A gold-colored metal plaque situated at the base of the neck features engraved text that reads [KATRINA / YOU THOUGHT / YOU COULD KEEP / THE OL BIG EASY / DOWN BUT WE / STILL HEAR OUR / BRASS BANDS / BLOWIN OH WHAT/ A BEAUTIFUL / SOUND]. A clear plastic cylinder is attached to the underside of the head. It has a metal top & bottom and contains a fuzzy object.

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Musician/Artist Don Louis Moser

2005

Object number

2015.119.1-.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

Type

musical instruments

guitars

Medium

Wood, copper, brass, tin, and plastic with fabric and rhinestone

Dimensions

H x W x D (guitar): 41 3/4 × 13 3/4 × 2 3/8 in. (106 × 34.9 × 6 cm)

H x W x D (Wood box): 5 x 47 7/8 x 17 in. (12.7 x 121.6 x 43.2 cm)

Place made

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Musical Instruments

Exhibition

Musical Crossroads

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Topic

African American

Art

Communities

Folklife

Music

Musicians

Ornamentation

U.S. History, 2001-

Record ID

nmaahc_2015.119.1-.2

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd566bb8fd6-5701-455d-b559-f25cd490a8a8