Photos: Sculptures get an 'Extreme Makeover'

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Extreme Makeover

Duane Flatmo's "Extreme Makeover" is a kinetic sculpture he and several teammates built in the Arcata Kinetic Lab in the coastal college town of Arcata, Calif.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:57 GMT (08:57 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Full side view

A full side view of the Picasso-esque "Extreme Makeover."

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:57 GMT (08:57 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Surf 'n' Turf

Flatmo's "Surf 'n' Turf," another kinetic sculpture in the Arcata Kinetic Lab in Arcata, on June 15, 2006.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:57 GMT (08:57 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Pontoon

As part of the kinetic sculpture races, machines have to ford water. Here, Flatmo demonstrates a pontoon on "Extreme Makeover."
Flatmo is one of the pre-eminent practitioners of kinetic sculpture racing, a pastime that started informally in Arcata in 1969 and now is celebrated with a giant three-day event involving dozens of entrants each Memorial Day weekend.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:57 GMT (08:57 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Grand-prize trophy

Flatmo shows off a grand-prize trophy from a previous Kinetic Sculpture Race in Arcata.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:57 GMT (08:57 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Looking out

Riding "Extreme Makeover" means being inside the giant abstact head and looking out through its gnarled teeth.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:57 GMT (08:57 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Engineering

Flatmo points to the complex engineering of a kinetic sculpture in Arcata, Calif.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:57 GMT (08:57 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Front view

"Extreme Makeover" looks like something Picasso would have designed if he'd been tasked with creating a human-powered ride for four people.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:57 GMT (08:57 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Flato riding

Flatmo rides one of his "spinner" bikes, which can dart around deftly and turn on a dime.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:57 GMT (08:57 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Machines fill lab

The Arcata Kinetic Lab is filled to the rafters with machines from years past. This dragon is one of the most beautiful.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:57 GMT (08:57 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Kinetic sculptures built in Arcata, Calif., look like something Picasso might have dreamed up.

Extreme Makeover

Duane Flatmo's "Extreme Makeover" is a kinetic sculpture he and several teammates built in the Arcata Kinetic Lab in the coastal college town of Arcata, Calif.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:57 GMT (08:57 PDT)

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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