The Nautilus – Large-Scale Art Car & Mobile Sculpture
A Five Ton Crane Arts Group collaboration
The Nautilus (2011) is a fully immersive, mobile sculptural fabrication project created in collaboration with Christopher Bently, Sean Orlando, and the Five Ton Crane Arts Group. Inspired by Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, this artistic experiment transforms the fictional submarine into a large-scale, interactive art car built with exceptional detail and craftsmanship.
Engineered Artworks played a key role in the engineering and custom fabrication, bringing to life a work that balances narrative depth with technical complexity. Designed as a fully functional vehicle, The Nautilus was built on a 2005 Eagle TT8 diesel AWD airport tow tractor base and features a top speed of 13 mph. As a result, it’s not only a monumental mobile sculpture, but also a self-powered storytelling machine.
Externally, the piece channels a steampunk aesthetic with elaborate metalwork and nautical detailing. Internally, it is fully outfitted with an array of immersive features, including a library, specimen lab, navigation room, and even a poop deck with a custom canopy. To further elevate the experience, the vehicle integrates a programmable LED lighting system, hydraulic controls, and audio-visual effects like a harpoon gun water cannon, night vision periscope, and black powder cannons.
The Nautilus exemplifies kinetic sculpture fabrication and collaborative design, merging function, fantasy, and engineering ingenuity into one unforgettable work.
Collaboration: Christopher Bently, Sean Orlando, Five Ton Crane, Engineered Artworks
Specs:
Dimensions: 25′ x 8′ x 15′
Weight: 12,000 pounds
Top speed: 13 mph
Base vehicle: 2005 Eagle TT8 diesel AWD airport tow tractor
Key Features:
Harpoon gun water cannon (13 gallons/minute)
Hydraulic drive system
GPS navigation
Pro-audio sound system
Smartphone control interface
Programmable LED lights
Library, navigation room, and specimen lab
Night vision periscope and black powder cannons
Custom poop deck with shade canopy