A malevolent voodoo doll is a powerful and fearsome creation with the potential to inflict great harm and suffering on its intended target. Rooted in the traditions and practices of voodoo, this doll is often associated with dark magic and sinister intentions. Made from a variety of materials, such as cloth, clay, or even wood, the malevolent voodoo doll is carefully crafted to resemble the person it is intended to harm. Its appearance is often crafted with intricate details, including hair, facial features, and even clothing, to create a strong connection between the doll and its target. The power of the malevolent voodoo doll lies in the belief that it acts as a conduit for evil forces. The creator of the doll, usually a skilled practitioner of voodoo or dark magic, imbues it with a range of harmful intentions and desires.
My hope is that Voodoo Doll’s visual language tells a story that is universal. Art is a visual form of storytelling. This means that everything that goes into your artwork should be a deliberate choice as it has the opportunity to convey something. Some of the more important elements to consider when designing are shape, color, line and texture.
That s why the engine resided in my living room for several months where I could take my time hand engraving it with the appropriate symbols and references. While the use of bones may evoke the macabre, the hand painted illustrations, engraved spooks and words like Whammy, Voodoo Power, and Mojocycle are meant to keep it playful and appealing.
The creator of the doll, usually a skilled practitioner of voodoo or dark magic, imbues it with a range of harmful intentions and desires. These intentions are then believed to transfer onto the doll, allowing the practitioner to direct their malevolence towards their target. The rituals and spells used to activate the malevolent voodoo doll can vary depending on the practitioner and their intentions.
“Voodoo Doll”
COME SEE VOODOO DOLL AT THE HANDBUILT SHOW IN AUSTIN, TX, APRIL 13-16.
Charlie Giordano’s newest work focuses on one thing: The magic of motorcycles. I wanted to create a work of art that emphasizes the emotions, magic, and voodoo that only seem to exist within the art of the motorcycle.
Motorcycles are the perfect medium to explore the world around me and express myself. Voodoo Doll represents the physical embodiment of the magic I experience when riding motorcycles. I wanted to explore and share this magic with the world.
To do that, I needed to design and build Voodoo Doll with specific aesthetic and engineering principles and have absolute control over its production. Every aspect of its fabrication was performed by me in my West Tisbury studio. Over the last two years I focused on understanding magic, voodoo, motorcycles, and my relationship to them. I focused on how to express that relationship in an object that is standing still but meant to be moving. And then I built it.
My hope is that Voodoo Doll’s visual language tells a story that is universal. Art is a visual form of storytelling. This means that everything that goes into your artwork should be a deliberate choice as it has the opportunity to convey something. Some of the more important elements to consider when designing are shape, color, line and texture.
I also needed to understand and incorporate actual parts of the Voodoo tradition like good luck charms and other iconography into the piece. There are no recipes or formulas. I rely on experimentation, theory, experience, and feeling.
Voodoo Doll Specifications
• Voodoo Doll is fully functional and street legal which was one of the most difficult aspects of the build. It is complete with high and low beams, blinkers, running lights, tail and stop light, horn and GPS speedometer, and a vanity license plate that reads “HUDU.”
• The major elements are built by hand including the gas tank, bodywork, etc. Both steel and fiberglass were used in the construction.
• Every aspect of its fabrication was performed our West Tisbury studio.
• Hand engraved 883 engine made by Harley-Davidson.
• Voodoo Doll is currently available for purchase. Its unique design and attention to detail make it ideal for a top collector or enthusiast. Please inquire for pricing and details.
Charlie Giordano, Tailgunner Exhaust
Email: [email protected]
Iconography and Artifacts
Voodoo is over 6,000 years old, and comes from places like West Africa, Haiti and New Orleans. It’s hot, gritty, and often poor. It’s both malevolent and benevolent. Voodoo has a rough texture. That’s why the engine resided in my living room for several months where I could take my time hand engraving it with the appropriate symbols and references.
I also needed to understand and incorporate actual parts of the Voodoo tradition like good luck charms and other cultural? Meaningful? Significant? It’s fine w/”other” but could put something else in here if you have time… iconography into the piece.
There is a scene in The World’s Fastest Indian where the camera slowly pans across a long shelf of defunct and discarded pistons forged by legendary Land Speed Record holder Burt Munro. In wobbly, hand painted letters above the shelf it reads “Offerings to the Gods of Speed.” People try their best to deal with spirits by appeasing them and, if possible, using them to their advantage. Among other things, they turn to the spirits for power, protection, guidance, and healing. And one way they manipulate the spirits is through the charms, amulets and talismans they wear.
Jewelry isn’t always just an accessory; it can be filled with power. Motorcycles can and should be dangerous, so I’ve incorporated charms to express that and protect the rider from harm and bring them luck.
Note the Mercury dimes that hang from around the leather saddle. In the Voodoo tradition Mercury dimes are used in a variety of ways. They are firstly a form of protective magic wherein a hole is drilled through dime and it is worn on a string around the ankle where it is believed to absorb any harmful magic or tricks laid down for the bearer and turn black if exposed to a hex or jinx.
The Voodoo Doll comes to life by shifting the heavily engraved Mojo Bone to the forward position, whereby the Victorian age, double-ended, perfume bottle then glows green as does the engine. This lets you know it’s alive. A Mojo bone is a type of lucky charm used in the magical tradition of Voodoo. It is thought to ensure a variety of positive effects, such as invisibility, good luck, protection from malevolent magic, rebirth after death, and romantic success.
The bone theme continues throughout the bike and is most dramatically expressed in the human skull that serves as the headlight housing. Painstakingly hollowed out and clasped together with a one-hundred year old heart shaped lock, it contains an LED light in each of the eye sockets and is engraved in Ouija board style lettering to help summon spirits.
Figureheads are the carved wooden sculptures that decorate the prows of sailing ships of yesteryear. In the perilous life of an ocean-going ship, figureheads embodied the spirit of the vessel, offering the crew protection from harsh seas and safeguarding their homeward journeys. To safeguard against bad luck Voodoo Doll’s bowsprit is adorned with a priestess or “Mambo” carved by hand from 3/8” aluminum plate. One side reads “Bon Chans” and the other “Pran Chans,” which is Haitian Creole for “good luck” and “take a chance.”
Another design consideration was the style in which Voodoo would be represented. Voodoo as a theme exists in many forms ranging from very dark to silly Hollywood kitsch. I wanted to represent voodoo by paying homage to it and also having fun. While the use of bones may evoke the macabre, the hand painted illustrations, engraved spooks and words like “Whammy,” “Voodoo Power,” and “Mojocycle” are meant to keep it playful and appealing.
Design Components
Shape was considered when building the frame, gas tank, and other body parts. I had to determine how long, wide, tall, sharp or smooth and what angles should be used to evoke the feeling of something magical and potentially dangerous. The same is true for each hand made component like the gas tank, and other body parts. Steel and fiberglass is malleable, but only with considerable effort, so good design before construction is important.
One of the best ways to elicit emotions and reactions from viewers is through the use of color. Color tells you about expresses character. The Great Russian painter and art theorist Wassily Kandinsky argued that artistic experiences are all about feeling, and that different colors affect mood. Voodoo is green. Like a science fiction movie poster from the 1950s or Scooby Doo’s Magical Mystery Machine. But not any green. This particular green with heavy metal flake (the magic.)
Artists use texture to create a specific feeling. Smooth or shiny textures, including metals like chrome, reflect more light and create a more contemporary finish.
Rough and coarse textures have more “visual weight” and create a rustic aesthetic. Given the nature and origins of Voodoo I chose the latter.
• Voodoo Doll is currently available for purchase. Its unique design and attention to detail make it ideal for a top collector or enthusiast. Please inquire for pricing and details.
Charlie Giordano, Tailgunner Exhaust
Email: [email protected]
However, they generally involve the use of specific ingredients and incantations to channel and focus negative energy onto the doll. In some cases, physical harm is also inflicted upon the doll, such as piercing it with pins or burning it, symbolizing the pain and suffering that the target is meant to endure. Once the malevolent voodoo doll is activated, it is believed to have a direct and powerful influence over the target. Any harm inflicted upon the doll, whether through physical actions or external forces, is believed to be mirrored onto the target. This can manifest as physical pain, illness, misfortune, or any other form of suffering. The effects of a malevolent voodoo doll can vary greatly, depending on the skill and knowledge of the practitioner, as well as the strength of the target's defenses. It is widely believed that protection against such dolls can be achieved through various means, such as charms, rituals, or even counter-voodoo practices. In summary, the malevolent voodoo doll embodies the dark side of voodoo and dark magic, representing a potent symbol of harm and suffering. Believed to be a vessel for evil forces, this doll holds a fearful reputation and has been the subject of both fascination and fear throughout history..
Reviews for "The Science of Malevolent Voodoo Dolls: Fact or Fiction?"
1. Emma - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Malevolent voodoo doll". The plot was predictable and the characters lacked depth. The whole concept of a voodoo doll being the main focus of the story seemed interesting at first, but it quickly became repetitive and, at times, even boring. The writing style was also quite average, with nothing standing out as exceptional. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book if you're looking for a thrilling or captivating read.
2. James - 2/5 stars - "Malevolent voodoo doll" didn't live up to my expectations. The story felt forced, and the characters lacked development. The voodoo doll aspect seemed intriguing but ended up being underutilized. Additionally, there were numerous inconsistencies and plot holes that made it hard to stay engaged. The writing style was also uninspiring, lacking the necessary descriptive elements to immerse the reader in the story. I wouldn't recommend this book if you're looking for a well-crafted and captivating read.
3. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I couldn't finish "Malevolent voodoo doll". The writing was weak, and the characters were poorly developed. The plot felt contrived and lacked originality. The voodoo doll theme was never fully explored, leaving the reader with a shallow and unsatisfying experience. The dialogue was also clunky, and the overall pacing of the story felt off. I regret wasting my time with this book and would caution others against picking it up.