Awesome Art Cars at Burning Man: Steampunk Octopus, and Playa Dalek

Video director and funny guy Mark Day shares two wonderful short films from Burning Man 2011. First, artist Duane Flatmo's steampunk-styled El Pulpo Mechanico, which Mark describes as "One of the most impressive mutant vehicles on show at Burning Man in 2011." And below, Dalek Invasion Playa 2011!

Boing Boing editor/partner and tech culture journalist Xeni Jardin hosts and produces Boing Boing's in-flight TV channel on Virgin America airlines (#10 on the dial), and writes about living with breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2011. @xeni on Twitter. email: xeni@boingboing.net.

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http://twitter.com/magicpeacelove PeaceLove

That octopus was definitely one of the stars of the Playa. You had to be there to grasp the full power of that fire-billowing metal contraption. When he blew fire out of his head and all arms at once, the cold desert night got HOT for probably 40-50 feet all around.

The workmanship was absolutely stunning, too. What a gorgeous, terrifying beast.

Note to Duane Flatmo: I salute you! You raised the bar for everyone.
nixiebunny

The octopus, El Pulpo Mechanico, won the burn for me. Fabricated from 100% junk. Best use of conduit cams for animation.
http://www.facebook.com/ted.mills Ted Mills

Somebody said they also saw a Tardis somewhere either on the playa or in BRC. Any confirmation on that?
- Gulliver
  
  I just want to know where they got dalekanium.
peterkvt80

The Dalek looks so awesome. A pity it sounds like a Briggs and Stratton lawn mower.
http://twitter.com/Betaboxx Betaboxx

I’m the guy with the Dalek and, we met the doctor Thursday night at the tardis. I’m working up some photos now, but it was pretty cool, and like most people at burning man, the doctor and his crew were some really cool peeps.
http://twitter.com/Betaboxx Betaboxx

@boingboing-527a43e4196838b8f1be3fde1f89b9a1:disqus
Tell me about it. Ideally i want it silent and with a super awesome suspension system so it wouldn’t rock back and forth so much. After a couple grand….my wallet was weeping too much :)
girlstyle

El Pulpo Mecanico came and presided over the burning of my camp’s art project (Lake Lahontan Point) out in deep playa on Friday night. We were honored to have him. What an incredible work of art!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Johnny-Dwork/501130285 Johnny Dwork

The Pulpo Mechanico Flaming Octopus is undoubtedly an all-time top 10 Burning Man art project. Artists take note…It embodies the following essential qualities of classic BM art: It’s an art car, it’s a fire instrument, it’s a musical instrument, it’s steam punk, it’s made from junk, it’s fun, it’s funny, it’s beautiful, it’s ingenious, it attracts crowds, and it’s truly awe-inspiring.

It would pull up to the larger sound systems, start playing it’s fire bursts to the beat of the music, quickly synchronizing with the DJ and, at the pinnacle of the music, let out a huge burst of flame from it’s head….causing everyone within a 1/4 mile to smile, laugh and scream in delight.

Brilliant. Genius. Absolutely F*#king Epic. Reason enough to go to Burning Man.
http://twitter.com/james4765 Jim Nelson

I got video of El Pulpo Mecanico during the burning of the Man. Will be online soon…
Mark Zabala

Here’s a fresh new reel of art highlights from this year’s Burn. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Peg_JW2Ao