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[[Image:kinetic sculpture race 2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''Wet Paint'' enters [[Old Town Eureka]]]]
[[Image:kinetic sculpture race 2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''Wet Paint'' enters [[Old Town Eureka]]]]


The concept of kinetic sculpture racing originated in [[Ferndale, California]] in 1969 when local sculptor [[Hobart Brown]] "improved" the appearance of his son Justin's tricycle by welding on two additional wheels and other embellishments. Seeing this "Pentacycle," fellow artist Jack Mays challenged him to a race. Others later joined in creating a field of twelve machines that inaugurated the first race down Ferndale's Main Street during the town's annual art festival. Neither Hobart Brown nor Mays won; instead, the first winner was Bob Brown of [[Eureka, California]] whose sculpture was a smoke-emitting Turtle that laid eggs. The race received broad publicity when photos of Congressman [[Donald H. Clausen|Don Clausen]] riding the Pentacycle were seen nationally.<ref name="Bennett">
The concept of kinetic sculpture racing originated in [[Ferndale, California]] in 1969 when local sculptor [[Hobart Brown]] "improved" the appearance of his son's tricycle by welding on two additional wheels and other embellishments. Seeing this "Pentacycle," fellow artist Jack Mays challenged him to a race. Others later joined in creating a field of twelve machines that inaugurated the first race down Ferndale's Main Street during the town's annual art festival. Neither Hobart Brown nor Mays won; instead, the first winner was Bob Brown of [[Eureka, California]] whose sculpture was a smoke-emitting Turtle that laid eggs. The race received broad publicity when photos of Congressman [[Donald H. Clausen|Don Clausen]] riding the Pentacycle were seen nationally.<ref name="Bennett">
{{Cite document
{{Cite document
| last = Bennett
| last = Bennett

Revision as of 20:10, 2 February 2012

Team Melvin crosses Humboldt Bay during the 2010 Kinetic Grand Championship

Kinetic sculpture races are organized contests of human-powered amphibious all-terrain works of art. The original event, the Kinetic Grand Championship in Humboldt County, California, is also called the "Triathlon of the Art World" because art and engineering are combined with physical endurance during a three day cross country race that includes sand, mud, pavement, a bay crossing, a river crossing and major hills.[1][2][3]

Race locations

Kinetic sculpture races are held in many locations:

There are other kinetic challenges, derbies and so on which follow some of the rules and traditions of kinetic sculpture racing, but are not an official part of it.[13]

World Championship

Duane Flatmo's Extreme Makeover crosses Humboldt Bay during the 2005 Grand Championship
Wet Paint enters Old Town Eureka

The concept of kinetic sculpture racing originated in Ferndale, California in 1969 when local sculptor Hobart Brown "improved" the appearance of his son's tricycle by welding on two additional wheels and other embellishments. Seeing this "Pentacycle," fellow artist Jack Mays challenged him to a race. Others later joined in creating a field of twelve machines that inaugurated the first race down Ferndale's Main Street during the town's annual art festival. Neither Hobart Brown nor Mays won; instead, the first winner was Bob Brown of Eureka, California whose sculpture was a smoke-emitting Turtle that laid eggs. The race received broad publicity when photos of Congressman Don Clausen riding the Pentacycle were seen nationally.[14]

The event was repeated in 1970, and the course subsequently expanded to include cross-country terrain. When affiliated races were initiated in other cities and the course grew, the Ferndale event became the World Championship, and has grown into the largest single event in Humboldt County.[15]

During the 1970s, the race adopted its present three day, cross-country format and became the "Triathlon of the Art World." Machines tackled mud, sand, water, gravel and pavement. Stan Bennett's book Crazy Contraptions chronicles the first five years of the race.[14] In the early 1980s, Hobart Brown was referred to as the "Glorious Founder of the Kinetic Race" in a spectators' brochure.

As the 1980s ended, Calistoga Mineral water company began sponsoring the race, which adopted a family-friendly approach. Soon after, Yakima Products inc. a local manufacturer of sports racks and car storage boxes became interested in the race. The sponsors' financial support—especially the creation of the Kinetic Lab in Arcata—took the race to a new level of art and engineering. The Lab's 83-foot-long sculpture Nightmare of the Iguana was the longest ever raced.

During the 1990s, the race matured. Many contestants were younger than the race, having grown up with its philosophy, "Adults having fun so children will want to grow older," coined by Brown. As age and crippling arthritis limited his activities, he sold the race rights, the kinetic chicken logo and the trademark "For the Glory" slogan to a new not-for-profit agency called the Humboldt Kinetic Association in 2002.[4][16]

The race course covers 41 miles, crossing both Humboldt Bay and the Eel River and includes a series of dramatic sand dunes known as "June's Dunes" and the aptly named "Dead Man's Drop" and the challenging Eel River exit at Morgan's Slough. The race begins on Arcata Plaza with the Saturday noon whistle; the race goes through Eureka and Loleta before reaching the finish line on the third day on Main Street in Ferndale.[17]

The race is broadcast live on local radio station KHUM.

Changing economics caused the sport rack company to leave the area and the water company to end their sponsorship. With no major sponsor and several years of county budget cutbacks reflecting statewide budget difficulties.[18]

In early 2007, Humboldt Kinetic Association abjured responsibility for the race. Race volunteers rapidly created Kinetic Universe, a new not-for-profit, to manage the 2007 race.[16] In 2009, the New Belgium Brewing Company became a sponsor.[19]

East Coast Championship in Baltimore

The 2011 Grand Mediocre East Coast Champion was PLATYPUS. Built by David Hess, the 2-ton sculpture is powered on land and water by 8 pilots, with an additional driver steering it along the 15-mile racecourse. Here, it races through Baltimore's Fell's Point neighborhood.[20]
'Candy Haus' won the 2010 East Coast Championship; here it enters the Baltimore Harbor at Canton.[21]

In 1999, the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) in Baltimore worked with Hobart Brown to start the first race in the Eastern United States, and has continued to sponsor the race every year since.[22] On May 7, 2011, twenty-six teams brought 33 sculptures to Baltimore for the 13th annual East Coast Championship.[20] The fourteenth annual race is scheduled for Saturday, May 5, 2012.[23]

In contrast to the rural flair of Humboldt County, the Baltimore race spans the city's urban center and is completed in a single day. The 15-mile race begins with morning opening ceremonies and the start at AVAM on the south side of the Inner Harbor, continues past well-known sites including Federal Hill, the Maryland Science Center, Harborplace, the USS Constellation, the National Aquarium, and Fells Point, has a water entry at Canton, an obstacle course at Patterson Park, and then returns through the city to the finish line at AVAM in the late afternoon. An awards ceremony at AVAM concludes the event.[24]

In 2002, the race included a crossing of the ice rink in Patterson Park, a challenging extension of the all-terrain aspect.[25] However, in the years since then the race has been held later in the spring to benefit from warmer weather—after the rink is closed for the season.[26]

Rutabaga Queens and other numeraries

Early in the history of the Championship, contestants began to select an annual Rutabaga Queen.[17][27][28][29][30] with active Queens Pigtunia Swineheart (83/84), Queen Denise Ryles 2001,[31] Queen Mo "Mo Betta" Burke 2002,[32] Queen Mair "Jane Doe" Dodd 2003,[33] Queen Monica Topping 2004,[34] Queen Shaye "Flamebouyant Femme Fatale" Harty 2005,[35] Queen Harmony "Foxy Biloxi" Groves 2006,[36] Queen Emma "Emma the Emchantress" Breacain 2007,[37] Queen Kati "Lotta Paintbuckets" Texas 2008,[38] Queen Jermaine "Jermajesty" Brubaker 2009,[39] and Queen Jennifer "Dinah Might" Thelander 2010.

The 2004, 2005 and 2006 Queens are the founding members of the board of directors of a new non-profit entity, Kinetic Universe Inc., which now administers the Kinetic Grand Championship, 3-day Arcata to Ferndale Kinetic Sculpture Race.[16][40]

Other Kinetic Races select different botanical Queens, including the Rose-Hips Queen of Port Townsend, Washington.[41] In Australia, having already a real queen, the race selects a Goddess to rule over the festivities instead.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Weird and wonderful in Humboldt: Art hits the road in Northern California's annual Kinetic Sculpture Race". Sunset Magazine. 24 May 2006. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ "Humboldt County: A place apart". Salt Lake City, Utah Deseret News. 01 June 2003. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ Doran, Bob (21 May 2011). "2011 Rutabaga Ball". North Coast Journal. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ a b Sims, Hank (24 May 2007). "Kinetic konfusion". news. North Coast Journal. Retrieved 12 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ "Kinetic Baltimore". Retrieved 12 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ "Port Townsend Kinetic Sculpture Race". Retrieved 12 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ "DaVinci Days, Corvallis Oregon". Retrieved 12 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ "Kinetic Sculpture Race, Ventura, CA". Retrieved 12 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  9. ^ "Lake County Events". Retrieved 12 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ "Klamath Kinetic Challenge, Klamath Falls CA". Retrieved 12 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ "Kinetic Sculpture Race trophies are fun pieces of art". news. Prescott Valley Tribune. 09 Septeember 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  12. ^ a b "What's on - Kinetic Sculpture Race in March:". Rotary Down Under Magazine. February 2004. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ a b "Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby". Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  14. ^ a b Bennett, Stan (1975). "Crazy Contraptions: A light-hearted look at Ferndale's Kinetic Sculpture Race" (Document). Low Tide Lumber CompanyTemplate:Inconsistent citations {{cite document}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |url= (help)CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  15. ^ "Mediocrity Trumps in Oddball Race". Wired. April 29, 2003. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  16. ^ a b c "A kinetic save". Editorial. Eureka Times-Standard. 24 May 2007. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  17. ^ a b Brown, Hobart; Wilson, John (1990). Kinetic Sculpture Racing, A Complete Guide: Founder Hobart Brown Tells All. Hi Heart Publishing. ISBN 1-879312-07-7Template:Inconsistent citations{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  18. ^ Ringwald, George (May 20, 1999). "Kinetic Countdown". North Coast Journal. Retrieved 05 August 2011Template:Inconsistent citations {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  19. ^ "New Belgium - Events > Kinetic Grand Championship". New Belgium Brewing. Retrieved 12 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ a b "Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race 2011 Race Report". Retrieved 21 May 2011Template:Inconsistent citations{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  21. ^ "Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race 2010 Race Report". Retrieved 21 May 2011Template:Inconsistent citations{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  22. ^ "Kinetic Sculpture Race". National Public Radio. April 29, 2001.
  23. ^ "Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race". Retrieved 21 May 2011Template:Inconsistent citations{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  24. ^ Williams, IV, John-John (May 6, 2006). "Peculiar contest puts artsy crafts in motion". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 05 August 2011Template:Inconsistent citations {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  25. ^ "Joo Chung's Galleries : Kinetic Sculpture Race (4/13/2002)". Retrieved 08 April 2008Template:Inconsistent citations {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  26. ^ "A Brief History of the Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race". Retrieved 12 August 2011Template:Inconsistent citations{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  27. ^ Hillinger, Charles (16 April 1979). "No one cares who wins: People power propels world's nuttiest racers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  28. ^ Foster, Julia M. (30 April 1995). "Move over, Indy 500 | Kinetic Sculpture Race blends ingenuity, endurance and humor". The San Diego Union - Tribune. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  29. ^ Lauer, George (28 May 2000). "A Kinetic Sideshow on Wheels". The Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  30. ^ Cochrane, Myles (17 May 2011). "Royal invite to the Rutabaga Ball: This year's Rutabaga Queen to be crowned in Arcata Saturday". Eureka Times-Standard. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  31. ^ Faulk, James (28 May 2002). "Glory to the racers". Eureka Times-Standard. Retrieved 05 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  32. ^ Crove, Lisa (19 June 2002). "Humboldt Pie - Mo Betta (2002)". SF Weekly. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  33. ^ Doran, Bob (20 May 2004). "The Hum". North Coast Journal. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  34. ^ Doran, Bob (19 May 2005). "The Hum". North Coast Journal. Retrieved 05 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  35. ^ Johnson-Stromberg, Ann (27 March 2006). "Some call it Rutabaga flambe". Eureka Times-Standard. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  36. ^ The Times-Standard (2 April 2009). "Kinetic Trash Fashion Show". Times-Standard. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  37. ^ Beech, Kai (25 May 2010). "All For the Glory". Eureka Times-Standard. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  38. ^ Doran, Bob (1 July 2011). "Kinetic Klash Kontinues". North Coast Journal. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  39. ^ Garmire, Sean (26 May 2009). "A curious contest: Kinetic race sculptures scramble to the finish". Eureka Times-Standard. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  40. ^ Sims, Hank (24 May 2007). "Kinetic konfusion". North Coast Journal. Retrieved 05 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  41. ^ "RoseHips Kween". Port Townsend Kinetic Race. Retrieved 01 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kinetic sculpture race.
  • KHUM radio, which covers the Humboldt County event.

World Championship

Other Races

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