INVASION OF THE 40 FOOT MANTIS...

THIS!  THIS is what sets behind that Love Locket from yesterday, guarding the entrance to the Downtown Container Park on Fremont Street East, in Las Vegas.  Quite possibly my most favorite thing in town at the moment.  A 150:1 scale exact replica of a female praying mantis by aerospace engineer turned artist, Kirk Jellum.

Photos were taken on three separate occasions over the past 9 months, give or take (the gloomy skies on the first visit made for a great "impending doom" backdrop).  I have always wanted to drive the Weinermobile, but I would KILL to drive THIS!  Set atop a military looking Humvee (one of the old, BIG ones), this thing actually drives - considered a "Street-Legal Kinetic Mobile Fire-Art Vehicle" - yes, it's been to the Burning Man Festival!

This was constructed by Jellum as a first wedding anniversary gift for his wife - my husband is SO lame!

When fully extended, the Mantis measures 40' tall X 30' wide.

Every night, at sundown (weather permitting), the Mantis is awakened by a "Call to the Mantis" Drum Circle Celebration (so, see - you don't even have to go as far as the desert of Burning Man to enjoy some of the "special uniqueness" of that whole event).

This gal burns approximately 50 gallons of liquid propane each night, with flaming antennae and color changing eyes.  In other words, she's LIT (as may be some of the drum circle participants).  Who needs Colorado or Oregon?  Mind-blowing without the edibles, and a lot cheaper, too - like FREE, man!  Plus, no paranoia or munchies afterwards.  Win-win!

Jellum and a team of 20 built the Mantis in 2010 - 500 hours of design work, and over 3,000 hours of labor are invested in this creature.  She also has a built-in 4,000 watt surround sound system, can speak 20 different languages (I just gathered info off the sign in front - don't ask me how a bug speaks 20 different languages), and takes a team of four trained/licensed professionals to operate (I can only assume they all have special "Kinetic Mobile Fire-Art Vehicle Operators Licenses"...my driver's license is SO lame!

See for yourself - she sets behind the Love Locket, in front of the Downtown Container Park (more about that tomorrow), and next to the Vortex Dome on the corner of Fremont and Seventh Streets (or 707 Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, to be exact).  I love her!

A LOCK ON LOVE - FREMONT STREET EAST on "TRAVEL TUESDAY"...

While the weather is still enjoyable in Las Vegas, I thought I'd share a whole week (that's right, an entire WEEK of posts - all photos were taken on two separate "walkabouts" with friends - one overcast day, one sunny and mild) of THE newly renovated "hot spot" in town, and some of the fun things it has to offer for those who might think that Vegas is strictly casinos (or for those of you who live here, and are usually holed up inside due to oppressive temps).

Fremont Street East used to be the "wrong side of the tracks" - you NEVER went further than the main area of the noisy downtown casinos...those were "seedy" enough, but you NEVER ventured past them.  All that has changed over the last five years or so.  More about the entire area this week, but today we're just feelin' the love.

Sitting on the corner of Fremont and Seventh, in front of the Downtown Container Park, is the "Love Locket".  Erected by artist Nova May, in 2013, as part of the Life is Beautiful Festival art installations - a bare metal piece that has gathered lock upon lock/remembrance upon remembrance over the few years it's been in existence - filling both sides entirely.

January of this year found the sculpture vandalized, with one entire side being removed one night.  Down but not out, the side was replaced and a fundraiser to fill the new side was held in February, with proceeds from one hundred $10.00 locks sold, being donated to the American Heart Association.

Got a lock and a sentimental/personal reason of your own?  This is your place!  Try not to wait too long, because hanging metal locks on a metal sculpture, covered with MORE metal, in the middle of 120 degree heat can be quite tricky - do it now, while the weather is pleasant.

And there's SO much more to this area to love and explore.  Back tomorrow with what sets BEHIND this lock - might just be my favorite thing in Vegas, at the moment!  Happy Tuesday.