Escopetarra

An "escopetarra" is a guitar made from a modified gun, used as a peace symbol. The name is a portmanteau of the Spanish words "escopeta" (shotgun) and "guitarra" (guitar). [cite web|url=http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2006/03/guitar_made_from_ak47_the_esco.html|title=Guitar made from AK-47 - The Escopetarra|last=Torrone|first=Phillip|publisher=MAKE: Technology on Your Time|date=2006-03-11|accessdate=2007-01-31] . The term "Escopetarra" is a misnomer, since all escopetarras to date have been fashioned out of rifles, not shotguns.

"Escopetarras" were invented by Colombian peace activist César López in 2003 at a gathering after the El Nogal Club bombing in Bogotá, when he noticed a soldier holding a gun like a guitar. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5033626.stm Colombian musicians organise online] , BBC News, 1 June 2006] The first "escopetarra" in 2003 was made from a Winchester rifle and a Stratocaster electric guitar. [Making music out of menace: A Colombian musician has fashioned guitars out of rifles to help spread a message of peace. "Miami Herald", March 7, 2006]

He initially made five "escopetarras", four of which were given to Colombian musician Juanes, Argentine musician Fito Páez, the United Nations Development Program, and the city government of Bogotá, while one was kept for himself. Juanes later sold his "escopetarra" for US$17,000 at a Beverly Hills fundraiser held to benefit victims of anti-personnel mines,cite news|title=Escopetarras: disparando música|last=Latorre|first=Héctor|date=2006-01-24|accessdate=2007-01-31|publisher=BBC World|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/misc/newsid_4644000/4644028.stm] while the "escopetarra" given to the UN was exhibited at the June 2006 of the UN Conference on Disarmament. [cite news|title=La escopeta transformada en guitarra del músico César López será exhibida en la ONU
url=http://www.desarme.org/publique/cgi/cgilua.exe/sys/start.htm?sid=16&infoid=5025|last=Conte|first=Gabriel|publisher=Desarme.org|date=2006-06-15|accessdate=2007-01-31]

In 2006, López acquired an additional 12 decommissioned AK-47 assault rifles from Colombia's peace commissioner's office; once they are converted into guitars, he plans to give them to high-profile musicians such as Shakira, Carlos Santana, and Paul McCartney, as well as political figures such as the Dalai Lama. However, a member of the Dalai Lama's staff rejected López's offer, citing the inappropriateness of giving a weapon as a gift; López has said he will try to explain his purpose more clearly.cite news|last=Sites|first=Kevin|url=http://hotzone.yahoo.com/b/hotzone/blogs3860;_ylt=AtqLBf1cY4xDT9Yr.HLpoSqLFMsF;_ylu=X3oDMTBjM3FjYjBzBHNlYwNibG9nLXN1bQ--|publisher=Yahoo! News|title=Killer Sound|date=2006-04-24|accessdate=2007-01-31]

References

ee also

* Swords to ploughshares