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18 | <strong>01940</strong><br />
Behold,<br />
the mad scientist<br />
BY ALLYSHA DUNNIGAN<br />
Jay Duchin of Lynnfield welds the passenger seat to a kinetic sculpture, which will participate in the Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race on Sept. 18.<br />
PHOTOS: SPENSER HASAK<br />
Jay Duchin is a video producer and<br />
the founder of a nonprofit, but<br />
classifies himself as a mad scientist<br />
in his spare time.<br />
Most recently, Duchin's spare time has<br />
consisted of him spending time building a kinetic<br />
sculpture at his Lynnfield home, which<br />
he will go on to present at the Lowell Kinetic<br />
Sculpture Race on Sept. 18.<br />
Kinetic sculptures are art forms that contain<br />
movement perceivable by the viewer, or<br />
that rely on motion for their intended effect.<br />
Duchin said he has always been inspired<br />
to build things, whether it’s a piece of backyard<br />
artwork or something he needs for a<br />
video shoot. He said that the upcoming event<br />
is the perfect excuse for him to explore his<br />
love of both art and mechanical engineering.<br />
According to the race's website, each entry<br />
must be human-powered and must travel<br />
across the cobblestones and paved streets of<br />
downtown Lowell — as well as sand, mud<br />
and the Merrimack River.<br />
There are a variety of other rules and<br />
creative ways to gain extra points in the race,<br />
Jay Duchin says kinetic sculpture is part art, part<br />
mechanical engineering.<br />
including carrying a passenger, who is not allowed<br />
to contribute to the sculpture's forward<br />
momentum.<br />
Although this is the first time Duchin<br />
will be competing in the race, he said that he<br />
has known about it for years.<br />
"I’m jumping in and will do my best to<br />
complete all the sections," Duchin said.<br />
Duchin hopes to get others involved in<br />
helping him either build the sculpture or be<br />
a part of the team that pilots it on the day of<br />
the race.<br />
"We’re also hoping to get local residents<br />
and businesses to contribute money to help<br />
cover basic materials and out-of-pocket<br />
expenses," Duchin added. "I’m proud to say<br />
all of the materials that have been used so<br />
far have been free, courtesy of Craigslist and<br />
other donations. We also have some bikes<br />
that won’t be used that we’ll be fixing up and<br />
donating to needy organizations."<br />
Duchin said he is excited for the race and<br />
for the opportunity to show off his sculpture,<br />
which can be seen in the driveway of his<br />
Lynnfield home. He said it is hard to miss.
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