The sometimes scary El Pulpo Mechanico in black and white.
Peggy and I were out wandering around Black Rock City when we came across the steampunk mutant vehicles that I am going to feature today: El Pulpo Mechanico and the Beamer Steamer. A flaming duck was also present. The folks that created these vehicles came from Northern California and Southern Oregon— our territory, and at least two of the vehicles had connections with the human-powered Kinetic Sculpture Race that runs between Ferndale, Eureka and Arcata over the Memorial Day Weekend.
El Pulpo Mechanico sprang from the creative mind of Duane Flatmo. His parts were scrounged from the Arcata Scrap and Salvage Yard in Northern California. Jerry Kunkel designed his electronic and flame system. His crawdad attachment was once part of one of the Kinetic Sculpture race vehicles.
El Pulpo always draws a crowd at Burning Man, especially when he is flaming. He can go through 200 gallons of propane in one night.
This shot of El Pulpo by our friend Don Green also shows his crawdad front.
Here’s a shot of his crawdad front during the day. This creature was once part of a kinetic sculpture that participated in the Kinetic Sculpture Race in Eureka. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
Looking up at El Pulpo provides a view of his barrel tentacles.
This primitive fish is also a part of El Pulpo’s decorations.
As is this sea-horse! (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
El Pulpo’s head.
A final view.
Bob and Karen Thomson of Southern Oregon had been participating in the Kinetic Sculpture Race for several years when they decided they wanted a vehicle that they didn’t have to power with their own effort and sweat. They created the Beamer Steamer to go to Burning Man.
The Beamer Steamer mutant vehicle by Bob and Karen Thomson.
I am not sure of the history of the flaming duck but it can light up the sky at night.
The flaming duck during the day at Burning Man. Check out its head.
The flaming duck out on the playa at night waiting for the man to burn.
You have to travel south on Highway 101 from Eureka to come to the home of my fourth mutant vehicle today. The Rhino Redemption was created by Kevin Clark and the artistic group that works out of the Reared in Steel building in Petaluma. Kevin was also responsible for the creation of the Medusa Sculpture at Burning Man that I have featured in the past.
This wonderful rhino mutant vehicle has become one of my favorites at Burning Man. I was once charged by one of his counterparts in East Africa and have had a special appreciation for rhinos ever since.
A side view of Rhino Redemption. He can accommodate up to 20 people.
Rhino charging? It’s kind of how I remember it. (grin)
A final view… (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
NEXT BLOGS:
I’ve decided to take a semi-break for my birthday next week when I will be in Las Vegas. I’ll see you back here on March 6. Well, I may put up a blog or two if things are slow, but I wouldn’t bet on it. (grin)
–Curt
Wandering through Time and Place 
El Pulpo is still our fave.
For a good reason! 🙂 –Curt
Happy birthday in advance. I hope you keep having them but don’t catch up to me.
The catching up is always bad news, eh. 🙂 Thanks, Ray. –Curt
Kinetic Sculpture races are fun to watch. I once saw one up in Port Townsend, Washington where all the vehicles were amphibians and had to do a lap out in the Strait of Juan de Fuca – fortunately not too far from shore. The participants, in their costumes, would have fit right in at Burning Man.
Peggy and I are hoping to make it to the Kinetic Sculpture race in Eureka on Memorial Day, Dave. Some what I’ve seen so far, many of the participants do attend Burning Man! –Curt
Thanks for another Burning Man post, Curt. You go and enjoy your birthday – we’ll be here when you get back!!
And thanks to you, GP. –Curt
The flaming duck looked the friendliest of them all. Some of those metal monster structures make me wonder what the creators had been smoking!
Whatever it was, it is now legal on the West Coast, Gerard. 🙂 Friendlier mutant vehicles are slated for my next blog on Burning Man! –Curt
These are so unique… Love the octopus…
I’ve never seen one look like any other. El Pulpo is magnificent any time of the day. –Curt
All right the flaming Octopus is my new fave!
You and many, many other people, Sue. 🙂
Love the Rhino!
He is impressive!
Wishing you a great time in Las Vegas, Curt. Happy Birthday! 🙂
Thanks, Dina. 🙂
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Curt, on each and every one of your BM posts, I continue to be amazed at the effort, attention to detail, and creativity that goes into these sculptures. It truly is astounding. Have a great birthday in Vegas Baby. ~James
Thanks, James. I am excited to get back there this year and see what new vehicles have been created. –Curt
They look good round the clock … I’m with you on the rhino, Curt, so stylish!
Yes they do, Dave. The rhino is a class act. Some really good art is being produced in Petaluma for Burning Man. –Curt
Happy Birthday Curt!
I really appreciate these close-ups of El-Pupo. I’ve seen ‘him’ featured on your blog before but not with as much detail. He’s a fiery beauty! 🙂
A proud octopus indeed, Timi. And it is amazing that he is constructed out of junk! –Curt
❤❤❤
Thanks. 🙂 –Curt
These are amazing — El Pulpo blows my mind. The crawfish touch is amazing!!! And I’m assuming from one of your statements that these return year after year? That’s also amazing — that they don’t tear up and people have someplace to store them.
Many actually appear in other areas as well, once they have been built and made their ways to Burning Man. Some can be ‘rented’ to show up at events. –Curt