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

African American Museum

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    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

    Date

    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

    Data Source

    National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Topic

    African American
    Art
    Communities
    Folklife
    Music
    Musicians
    Ornamentation
    U.S. History, 2001-

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

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

    Record ID

    nmaahc_2015.119.1-.2

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