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While studying under an artist residency program at the Akademie Schloss Solitude in [[Directory:Stuttgart, Germany|Stuttgart]], [[Directory:Germany|Germany]], she found the car that she knew would be perfect for her project: a [[1987]] two-stroke Trabant 601 Deluxe. She purchased it in [[Directory:Berlin, Germany|Berlin]] for $400, insisting to her more cautious boyfriend at the time that it would be safe enough to drive on the Autobahn back to Stuttgart. "I'm fucking driving this car," Cohen snapped. They survived the trip, despite a top highway speed of 40 miles per hour. Shipping the clunker to the United States cost at least seven times more than the car itself.
While studying under an artist residency program at the Akademie Schloss Solitude in [[Directory:Stuttgart, Germany|Stuttgart]], [[Directory:Germany|Germany]], she found the car that she knew would be perfect for her project: a [[1987]] two-stroke Trabant 601 Deluxe. She purchased it in [[Directory:Berlin, Germany|Berlin]] for $400, insisting to her more cautious boyfriend at the time that it would be safe enough to drive on the Autobahn back to Stuttgart. "I'm fucking driving this car," Cohen snapped. They survived the trip, despite a top highway speed of 40 miles per hour. Shipping the clunker to the United States cost at least seven times more than the car itself.
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== The project takes shape ==
Cohen has been exhausted by the amount of work and time that has gone into turning this Trabant into a metamorphic muscle car. But she's stubborn and insists that the mechanics she works under only show her the way, not actually do the work for her. This has included replacing the tiny East German engine with a mighty American V8 block, motorizing a linear extension shaft to "stretch" the car to El Camino proportions, and even front- and rear-wheel hydraulics to get the car "jumping" like any other lowrider.
With the car giving her lots of trouble, Cohen has focused equal time on her physical reconstruction from skinny photographer to sexy lowrider model. Naturally thin, Cohen didn't have to worry about weight loss; rather, she needed to put on some bulk and muscle to emulate the bikini models that adorn car magazines and shows.
<blockquote>"When you look at lowrider magazines, I'm too skinny for it. It's more chunky, more cleavage. I don't need to look like a body builder, I just need to look hot."</blockquote>
When the car is finally finished to her satisfaction, Cohen plans to turn her bikini-clad images into a calendar to sell at car shows, while also using them as part of exhibiting the Trabant.
For a much more detailed narrative of Cohen's story, please read the [http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2006-10-05/news/hard-body/full Phoenix New Times] article about her.
== Interview with Don Barsellotti ==
Helena Keeffe is an [[Directory:Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[Directory:California|California]] artist who makes projects that serve as catalysts for social engagement. The following audio clip is a [[2005]] copyrighted interview of Don Barsellotti (owner of Elwood Body Works) as recorded and edited by Helena Keeffe; used with permission, only on this website; unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. Source audio found at [http://www.helenakeeffe.com/archives/LizCohen.html Keeffe's site].
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