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'Seven Magic Tires' in east Las Vegas garners a lot of attention, some concerns

Questions of 'illegal dumping'
Posted at 5:15 PM, Aug 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-16 22:07:35-04

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — You can't miss the tire version of Seven Magic Mountains on the east side of the Las Vegas valley.

Located on a lot just off north Nellis Boulevard and south of Washington, the installation has become an overnight east side pride.

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Las Vegas police even tweeted out photos of the display. Though some people want the tires out of the property.

The technicolor tire totem has been getting a lot of attention.

Leilani Auguilar works at the food truck just several feet away. "You could see children standing by taking photoshoots with it."

It is more accessible version of the famous Seven Magic Mountains installation.

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Jordan Krejci works at The Boxx next to the lot. "It's better to look at than half of this stuff over here."

For eastsiders like Krejci, he says, "This is what we do people. It's fun."

For food truck vendors the display is a blessing. "While people are here they come and enjoy the music and they'll get a soda or a water," says Aguilar.

For some it's a curse. Rocky did not want his face on camera. He says he manages the private property while the owner is away.

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"We just spent a lot of money getting a lot of people off the property, which left a ton of garbage. We don't need anymore put on the property... The only thing that I have a problem with is illegal dumping of tires. Because they're stacked up and they're painted that means it's okay for you to dump tires on someone's property?"

Several people online have also asked the same question.

But one of the artists behind the art say, they got permission from the food truck vendor who rents this lot.

"I know there's a lot of people saying well that's just illegal dumping or whatever. Technically, sure," says Justin Favela.

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Favela says he did not create this with artist Ramiro Gomez to create a negative vibe. It's the opposite.

"We are paying tribute to the mechanics of the tire shops and the anteras on the east side and North Las Vegas."

For the artists, the mix of negative and positive comments about the Seven Magic Tires are doing what art is supposed to do -- start a conversation.

"I like to play with those boundaries on what's folk art, what's public art, who is space for?"

The creators say this display will be here for as long as people want it to be but they have no problem taking it out if somebody isn't happy with it.