Draka is a 112-ft long, mobile/kinetic sculpture built on a truck pulling three trailers. With the creation of this fire-breathing beast Lisa has given the mythological dragon new meaning. Originally created in 2000 in Black Rock Desert, NV, Draka is made of mostly recycled materials ~ 55-gallon steel drums make up her scales and old cedar shingles swell on her belly. She is capable of blowing a 50-ft burst of flame, and inside the bowels of the beast there's a full bar, elegant décor, room for live music and comfortable seating for approximately 50 -75 people.

Lisa’s vision of Draka was inspired by the book Wicked - The Life & Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire, and his description of a Dragon Clock Tower that roams from village to village displaying twisted puppet theatre.

On May 14, 2002 an accidental fire sparked by a welding machine sent Draka’s belly up in flames. From the ashes Lisa was then able to reconsider, then reconstruct, all that had been rushed in her original construction two years prior. During the summer months of 2000-05 over 100 volunteers have worked under Lisa’s direction making repairs & improvements while learning metalworking skills.

Draka was created and refurbished with the assistance of grants from the Burning Man Art Festival, the Houston Art Car Museum, and the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. Draka currently resides in Houston, Texas and has attended Everyone's Art Car Parade 2004-07.

The Draka team is currently planning a tour for 2009. Please check back later this year for more details!

2000 | Spirit of "Man"

| Draka Burnin'02 | Monster Garage | | original Draka Crew at work : 2000 year of the dragon | |

| Draka : HerStory | |

 

©2000-08 Lisa Nigro | Draka the Dragon. All rights reserved.

For information about reproducing the images found on this website, please send a written request to:
Lisa Nigro — 14035 Chalk Hill Rd. Healdsburg, CA USA 95448