Monday, February 20, 2012

Proud Sponsor of the 2012 Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby


Ahhhhh the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby...We REALLY wanted to participate in this event this year (for the past few years really...) but we'll be right in the middle of building out our space and figured that it wouldn't be the best idea to undertake another project at the moment. But we love the event and definitely wanted to support it, so the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym is now a sponsor of the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby!

Wait...you don't know what the KKSD is?! Read on...

 
The Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby (KKSD), a design competition and parade of human powered vehicle floats, was started in 2007 as an Economic Development Initiative of the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) to compliment the East Kensington Neighbors Association's Trenton Avenue Arts Festival.  For more information about business, events, and the arts along Frankford Avenue and in the rest of the 19125 zip code visit frankfordavearts.org.  NKCDC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing the East Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Our mission is to strengthen the physical, social, and economic fabric of the community by being a catalyst for sustainable development and community building.
 
A Kinetic Sculpture is a human-powered vehicle that also has an artistic theme. Think of parade floats on bicycles, or mummers on hand crank driven pirate ships, or an alien space ship on 2 welded togther bikes, it's zombie amish folks, it's a bar and bar stools on a bike, it's anything you can dream up. A Kinetic Sculpture Competition is all about fun and ingenuity, making the wackiest, most interesting contraption is the goal- finishing the course or winning is not.  Kinetic Sculpture Competitions have been taking place all over the world since 1969 when a California artist named Hobart Brown made some artistic improvements to his son's tricycle.



 


The KKSD is not a race, but rather a design competition and parade celebrating human powered transit and art in Kensington. Award Categories include- Best Art, Best Costume, Best Engineering, People's Choice, Best Breakdown and a special secret judge award. People get to vote for their favorite entry at the event, so come to the fest and VOTE!
 
 
Sounds amazing, right? If you are feeling inspired to sign up, registration is open! The event takes place on Saturday, May 19th, 2012. To register, check out 'How to Register' on the KKSD website. Then go attend the Meet and Greet at the Philadelphia Brewing Co. on Saturday, March 3rd...then start building!!!! If you decide to participate, please send us process photos and we'll post them here on the blog!

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