MAKING HIS MARK: Environmental engineering post doc Mark Sippola is known at his workplace, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, and around town for his festive fishmobile. He built his art car (pictured on page 1) out of recycled materials and found objects.

Environmental engineering post doc proves that transportation can be good clean fun

Environmental engineering post doc Mark Sippola finds it hard to blend in, especially when he is driving his fishmobile. People often approach Sippola to admire his art car and ask him about its origins.

“Kids, old people, coworkers, everyone seems to love the car,” says Sippola.
His half-fish, half-van set of wheels definitely stands out. It’s covered in metal scales and fins and has a jaw full of sharp teeth, all made from recycled and found objects.

The car started as a 1972 Dodge Tioga camper and was then donated to an art class whose students began turning it into a fish. When the class was unable to finish it, Sippola and some friends took over the job.

It took them two months to gut it, install a flatbed, and embellish the car. In the summer of 2000, he worked during the weekends, scrambling to get it done for Burning Man, a late August art festival in the Nevada dessert.

But the idea behind the car is community, not attention, says Sippola.

Since the festival, the car was volunteered for use in Around the World in 80 Ways, an event in which dozens of handicapped people travel around the world using unique modes of transportation.

It’s also been used as a traveling Karaoke machine and for touring the Napa Valley, says Sippola.

“I envisioned the car to be used by large groups of people. It’s something that fosters community in my life,” he says.

The car has also been a great icebreaker, allowing Sippola to meet many friendly strangers.

“I get approached and asked about the car all the time,” he says.

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