Today (Saturday, 5 May) sees the 14th annual running of the Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race (pdf). This unique event brings what normally hangs motionless on gallery walls to life.
The race involves large, mechanical, elaborately decorated human-powered works of art negotiating a 15-mile course over land and water. Bringing together the worlds of art, engineering and physical endurance, the race is known as the “triathlon of the art world” and makes an intriguing spectacle to say the least.
Starting at 9.30am, more than 30 teams are expected to complete the challenging course in around seven hours. Tired racers and spectators alike will join an awards ceremony at 6pm – although it remains to be seen if they’ll have enough energy to celebrate in a style worthy of their achievements. Race organisers – the Maryland American Visionary Art Museum – will honour the best teams with awards in artistic design, engineering and speed!
The roots of Kinetic Sculpture Racing trace back to California in 1969, when artist Hobart Brown entered a five-wheeled upgrade of his son’s tricycle into a race on Ferndale’s Main Street. He did not win, but he inspired the creation of the original Kinetic Grand Championships, which are still going strong today.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Image: Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race)
