The earliest kinetic sculptures evolved from spindly metal forms of tubing into strange and interesting full-figured creatures and machines.Building a cool art shell is the raison
d'etre of kinetics.
Racers usually work with a limited budgetand end up being very creative with hardware and junk shop materials.
Shells are often made from paper mache over a chicken wire frame supported by bent bamboo or better yet, inexpensive pvc pipe. A very durable paper mache can be made from paper towels and diluted carpenter's glue layered over the chicken wire, then coated with latex exterior house paint.
Some racers use Lycra or other fabric stretched over a metal frame.
Others have just used the outline of arched pvc or bent tubing to impart a graceful, minimalist line to an otherwise skeletal racing chassis.
The most fun is to build animated features into the art shell, such as moving eyes, snapping beaks, or spinning propellers.
Surprise us at the next race!
The earliest kinetic sculptures evolved from spindly metal forms of tubing into strange and interesting full-figured creatures and machines.
