So — turns out every spring, Kensington is the epicenter of kinetic sculpture design, building, and racing. It’s called the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby.
Calling all artists, builders, cyclers, scientists, families, friends, anybodies, everybodies —
Look at this. What do you see?
This image is from the 2012 Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby. I look at this and see fun, creativity, maybe danger [the good kind] — what I also see is creative reuse, and materials that can later be reused. The Derby is a great opportunity to show off how clever you are as an artist and builder. When the judging is based on glory and glory alone — yes! — I think clever examples of reuse go a long way.
From now until the Derby [May 18!], we’ll be featuring materials on the blog that we think would make great additions to your Derby steed. Cardboard, plastic, paper, fabric… we’ll show you great examples of how to make a statement with these inexpensive, interesting, reclaimed and reusable materials. Have a great idea? Call us to talk through it. Need something special? Let us know and we’ll help you find it.
So: register for the Derby. Then come to The Resource Exchange and find super cheap, super interesting material. Throughout April and May, say DERBY DISCOUNT at the register for a 10% [or greater!] discount on select materials for your sculpture. We’ll take your picture, put you up on our facebook *Reclaimed Derby Wall of Fame*, and… see you there!
PS: If you win, there might be a $10 gift certificates from RE in your future…
The rules, if you want to take a look, are below.
1. Sculptures must be human powered. No stored energy, motors, electricity (unless it’s human generated for spectacularness and stored and used at the event) no pushing, no pulling, no walking. Towing is only allowed IF the vehicle is pulling something sculpture related.
2. You must be able to keep up with a 3 mph minimum speed, inspectors will walk next to your vehicle, if you can’t keep up, you can’t participate.
3. The course will traverse urban streets including inherent obstacles, a hilly and/or sandy section, cobble stones, and a mud pit finish- No water obstacles yet!
4. Sculptures must be no larger than 102 inches (8′ 6″) wide,12 ft high, and 18 ft long and must be able to be operated legally according to Pennsylvania motor vehicle codes.
5. Sculptures must be vehicles, they must have wheels or moveable legs and be able to move forward, stop and turn. In other words, no pushing or walking type (flintstones style) sculptures are allowed
6. Sculptures must not pose any direct danger to anything near it, no open flame, no pointy things, also the pilot must be able to escape quickly and safely in the event that it’s necessary.
7. Sculptures must be decorated in a recognizable theme, or unrecognizable, as long as it is glorious. The pilots and pit crew must also be in appropriate costumes.
8. Sculptures must be able to stop safely and quickly, no sculptures that do not pass the brake safety check will be allowed to participate.
9. All pilots must wear approved helmets, please bring your own.
10. Sculptures must stay on course with the escorts, those that detour for any reason other than break down, will be disqualified.
11. Pilots that begin the event with a sculpture, must stay with the sculpture, no rotating.
12. All Participants must be sober while operating their vehicle, there will be plenty of time after the course is complete for revelry!
13. Any derby with a logo or business name will be required to pay an additional entry fee- unless they are a non-profit or are headquartered within the NKCDC service area. A chain with a location within the service area will be required to pay the extra fee.
14. Judging will be based on glory and glory alone, unaffected by sponsors or any other parties besides judges.
15. Participants must follow the directions of event coordinators, volunteers, police escorts etc…
16. In order to have FUN, we need to be SAFE!
17. Smile and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience!!
Learn more about the Derby HERE.
