International Kinetic Art Competition

What is IT?

The International Kinetic Art (IKA) Competition is an annual competition dedicated to art in motion. This can include domino builds, chain reaction builds, a mixture, or any sort of kinetic art form.

Teams of builders come together to create never-seen-before kinetic art builds in a single space that are executed and then judged.

Why?

We hope IKA will supplement, expand, and grow the domino, chain reaction and related art forms over current opportunities, by:

  1. Encouraging innovation, creativity and a high level of quality

  2. Drawing in more builders and artists

  3. Building a dedicated audience and encourage new sources of funding

GOALS

  • Create a self-sustaining competition format for domino artists, chain reaction artists, and other kinetic artists

  • Grow in sophistication and scope to resemble something like the World of Wearable Art competition

  • But most important: Create beautiful, awe-inspiring works of art that captivate audiences and add beauty to our world

Competition Format

  • Teams of three persons

    • Hoping for 6 teams for the first competition

  • Each team will have a 25-foot (7.6m) square build space

  • Everything in the build must either move or support motion in some way

  • 95% of the materials must be unmodified, re-usable materials

    • For example, domino stones, K’Nex pieces, ping-pong balls, etc.

  • 32 hours of build time over a 4 day period: 6+10+10+6

  • Teams can bring their own materials and tools, or use the “house materials”

  • Builds must be uniquely created for the competition

  • Builds are judged across four dimensions:

    • Narrative / Story / Artistic Vision

    • Design (e.g. layout, colors, composition, form)

    • Build Difficulty

    • Execution (e.g. does it move like it’s supposed to)

STATUS

NOTE: IKA is currently a concept under development.

IN PROGRESS:

  • Find venue & determine dates for first competition

    • Expected: Winter of 2027

  • Create budget - Venue, PR, insurance, prizes, judges stipend, AV, ticket sales, merchandise

  • Create web site, rules & team sign-up form

NEXT:

  • Find public relations & marketing lead, create marketing budget & plan

  • Identify grant opportunities and apply where possible

    • Maryland Arts Council, STEM/STEAM

  • Gather the "IKA Launch Team”

MORE INFORMATION

Competition Rules [Draft]

Team Sign-Up Form [UNDER CONSTRUCTION]