May 1, 2002
Stinky Cheese stands alone
Colin Germaine wins kinetic sculpture race
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Sculptor Colin Germaine of Interlochen recently won the East Coast Kinetic Sculpture Championship by powering his Stinky Cheese Cart over a 15-mile course in Baltimore, Md.
Designed to master elements ranging from ice and pavement to mud and water, his cart barely held together during the 10-hour race. For the veteran mountain biker, powering his 300-plus pound creation from checkpoint to checkpoint was a real athletic challenge.
"You really should train for this, but I didn't," Germaine noted. "This 15 miles felt like more than 60 miles when I was done. The machine was basically way too heavy for one person."
Twenty other teams fielded human-powered sculptures during the event, which was held two weeks ago and ranged around Baltimore streets, a local ice arena and water course. These teams sported names such as the Galloping Cow, D-Vine, Hillbilly Ark and the Dragonfly Divas. Besides Germaine's giant cheese, there was a 14-foot-tall pink tulle poodle, a giant green foam frog and a 450-pound scorpion.
The non-competitive race is sponsored by the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore and is one of eleven such races worldwide. Sculptor Hobart Brown of California conceived the idea for a kinetic sculpture race 34 years ago. Since then, the events have become noted for wild creatures, outlandish breakdowns (you get an award for the best one) and extensive (and encouraged) bribery of the judges. Other awards include best costume, best art, best half-baked idea and best bribes.
For Germaine, who competed in both the Baltimore and a California race two years ago, the kinetic sculpture race is a chance to have the time of his life.
"Nothing else feels like it" Germaine said. " You see everything imaginable there, people put together things you wouldn't believe."
"The top goal is to be the mediocre champ and that is what I got, right in the middle."
The Stinky Cheese Cart qualified Germaine to go to California later this spring. However, Germaine said that logistics, time and money may prevent him from attending the event. However, he is rebuilding his battered cart just in case.
When he raced in California two years ago there were more than 120 entrants fielding even more elaborate and outlandish sculptures.
"It is a three-day event in California and covers 36 miles," he said. "It is a lot more intense."
Germaine learned about the Baltimore race while studying sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art. The 1993 Interlochen Arts Academy graduate initially enrolled to study printmaking but he soon ventured into the sculpture department and found his calling. Since graduating, he has worked as a welder on and off for seven years and has a particular affinity for kinetic sculpture.
"My mom is an artist so I grew up around art," said Germaine, who currently works full time at an area wholesale greenhouse.
Germaine is a throwback to the days when inventors and tinkerers got their hands dirty. He contrived his vehicle out in his 30- by 40-foot pole barn in two three-week bursts: the first two years ago and the second just before the recent race.
His seat-of-the-pants engineering and willingness to contrive whatever necessary served him in good stead, as he cannibalized dune buggy parts from his father and either fabricated or purchased whatever else he needed.
"I pieced it together out of odds and ends," said Germaine, who had to then tear it all apart to transport it on the ten-hour trip to Baltimore. "You think you're going to be struggling against others or the elements but ultimately you are struggling against your own engineering."
Germaine plans to be back in Baltimore next year and thoroughly document all aspects of the race. He has a vision of bringing a kinetic sculpture race to Traverse City, perhaps one day as part of the National Cherry Festival.
"Something like this is so creative and good, it is wonderful for kids to get involved in," he said.