Take a ride on the wild side with the Kinetic Sculptures race

Posted on 19 October, 2022

It began 50 years ago in California—a race that didn’t make sense, or rather, it didn’t want to. Gleefully straddling the muddied line between art, theatrics and engineering, this human-powered race has finally made its way to Canberra.

Kicking off this Saturday at Haig Park,  moving sculptures of every shape, size, theme and colour will begin their captivating race to Lake Burley Griffin, dropping jaws and defying the laws of physics along the way. As part of the long history of kinetic racing, the vehicles will finish the event with a daring plunge into the lake (don’t ask why).

Will they sink, or will they swim? An important question the kinetic sculpture race has been forcing participants and audiences to ponder since its origin.

For event organisers, Travis Bullock and Constance Titterton, kinetic sculpture racing has been a long love affair. They discovered the event in America, and after moving to Canberra two years ago, they were determined to bring the magic of art-powered vehicles to our city.

“We’ve been involved in races in the US, but when we moved to Canberra two years ago, we found that there was nothing for us to enter. So, we began by building a couple of kinetic sculptures here, but we really wanted to connect with other people and have a community event.

“We’ve been very lucky that we’ve been supported by the City Renewal Authorities, and they’re the ones who are funding this race, so we can build it into the inaugural event that is happening this weekend,” says Constance.

Despite a few COVID setbacks, this year’s race already has over 15 entries, with creativity and quirky reimagining not in short supply. From the sensory onslaught that is one competitor’s nine-wheeled slug terror, to a beautiful and wildly artistic-walking cat bus—Constance describes them as sparking “childlike joy”.

“When a kinetic sculpture goes past you, when you catch a glimpse of it out of the corner of your eye, it should take your breath away.”

“It brings a smile to your face and joy to your heart just seeing something so childlike and playful. You know, why do people build these sculptures? There’s really no reason except for the glory. There’s no financial prize, there’s no reward. The only true reward is connecting with a  community and doing something difficult and fun,” she says.

The judges, no doubt, have a challenging decision ahead of them. And while the race may appear unyielding, goofy and completely untamed, these gender-bending creations are guided by a carefully observed criteria.

And pageantry is only the tip of the iceberg.

Competitors will be tasked to move effortlessly from road to sand, technically challenged and radiating nothing but charm. And while the Grand Champ won’t necessarily take home a physical prize, they will come away with perhaps a much deeper and revered story to tell—one that speaks of a kinetic sculpture that defines the odds through a sheer feat of creativity and engineering, that traversed over all elements, managed to float on Lake Burley Griffin and make its way into the hearts of the public.

And for Travis and Constance, that’s what this event is all about.

“I’d say for joy and entertainment, it’ll be fun to watch people that you know, friends and family trying to get across the water.

“And there really a place for everyone in this community. There are engineers, there is theatrics, there’s art, there’s competition. And every spectator who is part of the event will be entertained, and they will fall into a community that they can associate themselves with and hopefully start building next year’s machines,” says Travis.