CARL BERNHART, "NEON JUNGLE," 2000 to present

welded metals, sculptures 8' to 10'

Located: 2809 U.S. Highway 34, Altona, Ill.

This creative roadside attraction is a working sculpture park of 3/4 of an acre, soon to be augmented with a small pond, flower beds and brick paths. Now, metal rod figures, larger than life-size, populate the "Jungle." Wearing masks, carrying spears and shields, they wiggle between fierce and humorous. A ten foot "butterfly" has elaborate wings and a cut up 1948 Ford bumper for a chest. Her earrings are wind chimes. In one hand she holds a tall flower; in the other a stone. Metal flamingos wander the grounds. Because of the neon colors of magenta, orange, yellow and bright blue, the growing installation can be seen for a at least 3/4 mile along Route 34.