The Kinetic Cake Expo (KCE) is a showcase of kinetic non-motorized sculptures to be held at the Community Arts Workshop on April 13, 2024. Artist teams will create street legal human-powered vehicles to designed with simple task of delivering a cake to a picnic through an obstacle course known as the “Cake Wash”.
Sculptures and teams will be observed and judged based on theatrical fanfare, innovative design, cake transport and protection, and of course the overall aesthetic of your kinetic rig and your team’s look.
History of Kinetic Racing
Racing of kinetic sculptures has a long Californian history dating back to the late 1960s. Artists Hobart Brown and Jack Mays created a race with human powered sculptures in Ferndale California in 1969 for the end of the Mother’s day Art Festival. Within five years the event had grown to dozens of kinetic vehicles, thousands of spectators. Now known as the Kinetic Grand Championship it has evolved into an institution in Humboldt county. 50 years later it has become both an economic engine and the largest single tourist draw for kinetic racing in the county. The Kinetic Grand Championship has inspired a network of kinetic artists across the country to travel to Humbolt for this event. New events have cropped up across the country, creating a kinetic circuit and a growing community of folks who enjoy, and participate in multiple kinetic art events per year.
The Santa Barbara Kinetic Sculpture Challenge
KCE is carbon neutral in alignment with SB’s historical identity as a pioneer in climate awareness. This kinetic competition provides an innovative argument for conscientious use of resources. Our team aspires for the KCE to be a unifier of communities, drawing in divergent aesthetic expressions. Rallying a community under the banners of conservation, energy innovation, and generally being good stewards of our natural world.
Stay up to date with events related to the launching of the Kinetic Cake Expo by checking frequently checking the MISC Workshop Calendar or by following us on Instagram.
Created and hosted by MISC Workshop the Kinetic Cake Expo is funded through an events and festival grant from the city of Santa Barbara.
MISC Workshop 