Can Two Hulking Trucks Be Transformed Into A Thing Of Beauty?

Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder, right? Bearing that in mind, you might be better able to appreciate this recycled tanker truck sculpture plucked straight from the imagination of artist Mike Ross. Some might wonder what the big deal is. After all....so what if back in 2007, a crazy artsy guy somehow managed to weld two 18 wheelers together in a jaunty position? People weld stuff all the time...what makes a couple of trucks any more impressive? (Kind of talked yourself out of that line of thinking, huh?) It certainly makes for a dramatic statement. It's more than a little crazy. The trucks were already retired, so at least they're doing something...practical (instead of wasting away in a landfill) -- right?

Formally titled Big Rig Jig, Ross designed this quirky, ginormous caterpillar like sculpture as an artistic exclamation point which nicely complements the daringly impressionistic installations already under his belt. Some of his previous works include billowy fabric cascading below ceilings, colorful squares suspended with transparent line above outdoor spaces and, well, a massive square of pink steel floating on the surface of a pond. This piece, however, is the first to upcycle unconventional materials and moonlight as an architectural exploration zone as well. Unlike conventional art which is designed to be viewed and not touched, Ross' Big Rig Jig welcomes spectators to commune with the structure by entering the base, squirreling through both welded truck components and peeking through the tippy top portal which reaches forty-two feet high.

Ross may have intentionally selected the tankers as a way to highligh our world's deeply entrenched dependence and concurrent revulsion toward the oil industry and its far reaching environmental consequences. On the other hand, he may have just thought that melting two steel hunks weighing 80,000 lbs. each -- um, hello....that's 80 tons total -- would just be really cool. The wacky right brained aspect is another consideration, of course. Judging from his impressive crew of 22, including everyone from construction masters and leads to internal decor leads, perhaps the motivation behind Rig Rig Jig was a blend of all the above. Either way, it makes for one spectacular conversation starter.

Big Rig Jig Construction Pictured Above -- A Work In Progress