Jemicy Schools entry into the Baltimore kinetic sculpture race, Vechysvboat, makes its way down Central Avenue on Saturday, May 7, 2011 in Baltimore, MD.
According to the Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture website, “Kinetic Sculptures are amphibious, human powered works of art custom built for the race.” The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) is the host to what is now a Baltimore tradition, the East Coast Kinetic Sculpture Race Championship. The eight-hour race covers 15 miles—mostly on pavement. The race course takes participants in and around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, through mud and sand, and through various neighborhoods in East Baltimore.
Kinetic Sculpture Racing got its start inFerndale, California in 1969 when artist Hobart Brown upgraded his son’s tricycle into a 5-wheeled pentacycle that was part of a race down Main Street. The California race has now evolved into a 3-day all-terrain Kinetic Grand Championship including treacherous sand dunes, water crossings, and elaborate sculptures and costumes.
The winner of the Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture race (Platypus) will travel to California to compete for the Kinetic Grand Championship.
