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Meet the El Pulpo Mecanico Crew

Duane Flatmo • Art

Steve Gellman • Fire

Jerry Kunkel • Electric

El Pulpo Mecanico was built in Arcata California, Humboldt County. The mechanical octopus was designed and created by artist Duane Flatmo and the spectacular fire effects and electrical systems were created by Steve Gellman. Our good friend Jerry Kunkel came on board with his expertise in building and electrical to round out the group.

The "El Pulpo" is a combination of art and technology melded together. We built this knowing that it would be fun to watch as the giant cam spun up through the center moving the tentacles and eyes in and out while fire spewed from the tentacles and head. No hydraulics or computers were used in this contraption. We built the sculpture primarily out of recycled and used junk found at our local scrap yard.

A special thanks to Bonnie Connor who worked out a trade with us to have full access to her wonderful place... Arcata Scrap and Salvage.

The truck we started with, was a 1973 Ford 250 4x4 donated by Jack Freeman of Eureka. The project took three and a half months to complete with the help of many friends. Bob Thompson, Greg Ester, Brian Slayton, Carl Mueller and Lucas Thornton all helped on the project and we thank them!

The crowds at Burning Man blessed us with many kind words and frightened faces as we fired her up each night. The sculpture used 200 gallons of propane per night and lit up the playa as far as the eye could see. Look for her again in 2012... she'll be crawling all over the playa again!