**The Legacy of Art Cars: A Journey through Time and Creativity**
*From the moment they hit the streets, art cars capture our attention and curiosity. However, the harsh realities of everyday life often take a toll on these unique masterpieces, leaving them forgotten and abandoned in junkyards. During my own travels through these graveyards of creativity, I have encountered numerous art cars that were once celebrated but have now been discarded by a world that fails to appreciate their value. Among them, I discovered the Groovalicious Purple Princess of Peace Taurus, a Volvo 240 paying homage to Van Gogh and the Bible, and even a famous 1969 Ford Mustang. But it was a glorious Econoline that truly captured my imagination, combining the worlds of creative metalwork and artistically decorated travel vans. This Econoline, discovered in a Denver-area junkyard last winter, was a true testament to 21st-century Denver art history.*
This particular Econoline started its life as an ordinary ¾-ton cargo van at the Lorain Assembly in Ohio. However, it was soon transformed into a magnificent canvas by Akiala I, a talented multidisciplinary artist. Known for her dedication to fighting gentrification in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood, Akiala created art businesses called Absoulute Vibe and Vibe Palace. The Vibe Palace van, as I learned, was named after a spaceship from the planet Ultima in a galaxy “somewhat far away.” This van became a vessel that transported Akiala I on her journey from Denver to New Orleans and back.
The Vibe Palace Econoline is a stunning blend of science fiction and New Age spirituality, with artwork adorning every inch of the vehicle. The three-dimensional lettering on the right side of the van is a testament to the artist’s skill and dedication, remaining intact despite the van’s cross-country travels. One can’t help but be inspired by the uplifting and empowering messages that adorn the exterior of the van.
Entering the van, one is immediately immersed in a world of vibrant colors. Pink, purple, and disco-ball fabric create an atmosphere that radiates joy and creative energy. It is a testament to the artist’s ability to transform a simple van into a mesmerizing space that transports individuals into a realm of imagination and wonder.
Underneath its artistic façade, the Vibe Palace Econoline boasts a powerful 5.8-liter small-block pushrod V8 engine, formerly known as the 351 Windsor. Equipped with an automatic transmission, this van is a testament to the final years of the angular “long snout” Econoline family, which were built from 1975 to 1991.
Sadly, the journey of this magnificent spaceship has come to an end. The cold steel jaws of the crusher consumed the Vibe Palace Econoline, forever putting an end to its adventures on the streets of Denver. However, its legacy lives on as a symbol of the artistic spirit that thrives in the Mile High City.
While the Vibe Palace Econoline rests in the annals of Denver’s art history, it serves as a reminder of the transformative power of art and creativity. Art cars, like the ones I discovered during my adventures in junkyards, are not mere vehicles; they are statements of individuality, rebellion, and the human spirit’s unyielding desire to break free from the mundane.
As we witness the rise and fall of these art cars, we are reminded to embrace our own creative potential and celebrate the unique beauty that lies within each of us. Whether it’s through painting, sculpture, music, or any other form of artistic expression, we can all create our own masterpieces that defy the constraints of time and capture the essence of what it means to be human. So, let us be inspired by the Vibe Palace Econoline and embark on our own artistic journeys, transcending the boundaries of the ordinary and leaving a lasting mark on the world.