Radar Redux.com is expanding the traditional concept of journalism, to cover a wide array of Baltimore Arts and Culture. We are a partnership between the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, Maryland Institute College of Art, and Johns Hopkins University.
Imagine gigantic papier-mâché animals attached precariously to two or more bicycles fused together and sporting floatation devices that range from giant foam blocks to sawn-off rowing shell tips, and that is just the beginning. This, being Baltimore, will not be a parade down smoothly paved streets; rather, the terrain ranges from sand to mud and includes a swim in the Chesapeake Bay. This year’s event, dubbed Human vs. Machine, promises some of the most daring and ingenious multi-wheel contraptions to date.
In years past, spectators have been witness to some serious crashes and bizarre to miraculous harbor voyages. Highlights from the past races include teams like Wilma & The WOMBATS (Wayward Outcast Musicians Battling Apocalyptic TribulationS), Giant Anteater, Cake on a Lake, and Tail of a Whale. The creativity and monumental size of some entries would make Hobart Brown, the founder of Kinetic Sculpture Racing, proud. Hobart organized the original race in 1969 in Ferndale, California.
Students of Johns Hopkins University will compete for the first time as a blue jay constructed of recycled plastic bags. In keeping with the current tech trends, Twitter Jay will be appropriately tricked out; with Webcams for eyes, an LED screen on the back displaying text messages and Twitter posts, and, of course, (it is Hopkins!) heart rate monitors on the cyclists. The goal of all this expensive equipment (a laptop will be onboard during even the water portion of the race), is to record all aspects of the marathon event.
The students involved in the design and construction of Twitter Jay represent a range of disciplines that results in what is probably the most tech-savvy entry ever to participate in the race’s 11-year history. The team, consisting of David Hung, Ian Lee, Josh Hewitt, Nora Krinitsky, Stephanie Smith, and Tabor Barranti received guidance from Joan Freedman, the director of JHU’s Digital Media Center. In the following video Nora Krinitsky, a history major and a museum studies minor, gives an overview of race day and what spectators can expect while working on the seemingly genetically modified bird. Make sure to arrive by 9:30 am to see the race start, and don’t forget to wear your costume!
What is the Kinetic Sculpture Race? from RADARREDUX on Vimeo.
Want your message to appear on the back of Twitter Jay?
Twitter “HopkinsBlueJay”
or
Text the bird at 443-453-4012
If you miss the day of madness and tragic crashes, the JHU Mattin Center is hosting a party on Friday, May 8 at which Twitter Jay will be on display. An immersive installation, designed by Yana Sakellion, will feature the recorded data from the race and a chance to get creative with the blue plastic bags used for the feathers on the sculpture.
Kinetic Sculpture Race
May 2, 2009
American Visionary Art Museum
800 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-244-1900
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