Liz Cohen: Transformational Art

Liz Cohen is converting an East German Trabant car into a low-riding American El Camino. Cohen is a visual artist based in Phoenix, AZ. The project involves not only the car's transformation, but Cohen's as well: from photographer to the model posing with the vehicle. Here, Cohen talks about sticking with ideas and multi-tasking to push them forward.

Cohen developed credibility and financial support from the ground up. As she explains it, "Once I had the idea to transform one car into another kind of car, I applied for grants and artist residencies [for the] resources to get started. I figured since I was early in my career I wouldn't have the credibility to raise all of the funds and create all of the partnerships I would need to complete the project. If I got started I believed I could build enough momentum to [recruit partners] as the project advanced."

When asked about the reasons behind her project, Cohen turns to the questions that first inspired her work. "What defines the limits of who's in and who's out of a group or subculture, and how can those limits be pushed while remaining meaningful? People can demonstrate an incredible amount of creativity and tenacity when they're trying to fit in. I want to know something about how a person conserves a sense of self, history and dignity during and after that adaptation process."

"The car is an East German car on the journey to becoming an American car. I don't fit the expectations for a car customizer, low-rider builder and bikini model...I'm interested in what it's like to be different - what it's like to be the freak that makes it all work some how."

Cohen could easily get lost amidst her creative energy and never get anything done. To stay focused, Cohen identifies a "central idea or object (like the car) that spins into other ideas or objects." But, she explains that "the central [idea or object] is always there anchoring the project. I don't deviate from that."

As an entrepreneurial artist, Liz Cohen seeks "low budget DIY solutions." She expands, "I'm my own researcher, producer, hands on laborer, and publicist. I wouldn't be able to work on this project if it weren't for the generosity and advice I've received from many individuals and businesses, but in many ways, I'm a one woman band."

Collaboration was a core component in Cohen's transformation of the Trabant into the El Camino. "Right now, at the bodyshop that's hosting my project, Elwood Bodyworks, I get ideas for how to make the project a reality," Cohen says. "I have a mentor there, Bill Cherry. We discuss what I want the car to do, and he helps me engineer solutions for the problems. Without those conversations, the car would simply not do what it does."

More on Liz Cohen

Fast Company Magazine

Phoenix New Times

Creative Capital Grantee Profile

One Star Press

Galerie Laurent Godin

MySpace: Liz Cohen