It’s part of an annual celebration involving a whole bunch of stuff but I’m most impressed by the quality of the design, sculpt, and paint job of these constructions – that will all (except for one chosen to be saved by vote) be destroyed as part of the festival.

The themes take jabs at events of the past year and often feature political figures (that us Americans have no clue about) – and much to the horror of corporate IP lawyers – also freely use cartoon and movie characters in decidedly not-approved poses. They’re also bawdy, lewd, and fairly racist. Altogether WAY more exciting than our corporate-sponsored, often bland and poorly sculpted, Rose Bowl Parade floats. Tons more on flickr here. Also here and here.

Seriously – U MUST look through the whole set. My jaw is in pain its been hanging open so long.

This woman’s whole photo set is shocking really – I guess this is what “normal” people do – make sandwiches from what they have left in the fridge. Then photograph it. And list the ingredients – with estimated calories!

http://ritaritarita.ca

Spotted biking around my neighborhood. That’s floating alien baby cupids, neon, etc.

The Good Soldier Schweik for Long Beach Opera – It’s a comedy, in English, based on a Czech novel about the start of WWI. Only 2 performances, each in a different theater, the first one being far superior and almost sold out – Get Tix here if u want.

This is the tipsy bar – which i think is quite a sublime little piece. The mugs attach magnetically to metal hidden under the top allowing repositioning of the mugs – and re-balancing or un-balancing of the bar without the mugs falling.

this bed is made from platforms and crates used in other scenes. The look is spoze to be very traveling troupe with a circus/military feel.

I got this green chair for $5. Making it into a wheelchair cost a bit more.

These sketches were rough early concepts. The birdcage was found on craigslist and i added the extra who-ha at the top. I think adding chandelier crystals to those chairs and cage was a bit of genius but that’s me talking about myself. And let me tell u what a bitch it is to paint a birdcage.

If  your Firebird has a hood bird decal it MUST have a color-coordinated feathered roach clip hanging from the rear-view mirror.

You may remember her from such JustinSpace Features as “Joan’s Monets”

When I’m done it should look like this Photoshoped mock-up:

and here is the Monday afternoon reality:

And yes, that’s the same Aunt Joan who improves Monet’s paintings with scrapbooking stickers.
Also, if you happen to pass through the center of North America anytime soon, stop by her farm and see my Uncle Gene’s art installation/performance happening all over their property, consisting of: pantyhose stuffed with human hair hanging from trees, electrified metal plates smeared with peanut butter, strobe lights (some on motorized bases), talk radio broadcast over outdoor amplifiers, and nighttime aerial fireworks shells launched horizontally into the surrounding trees. He doesn’t know it’s art but he calls it, “Stay away you damn deer and stop eating my bushes!”

More from North Dakota and beyond  in my Flickr pages.