obtainium

13 Jul “Great news, Obtainium Works will be joining us at the Art Party!”

Queen of Hearts, Mad Hatter, Zombies, and Flying Monkees to challenge Steampunkers and Art Cars in Obtainium Cup, July 16-17

The 5th Annual Obtainium Cup Contraption Rally takesobtainium place in Alden Park on Mare Island in Vallejo on July 17. There’s an Art Car Jam the day before on July 16. It’s all sponsored by Obtainium Works, a group of hardcore tinkerers, gearheads, and steam bohemians (aka steampunkers) who fabricate art out of repurposed industrial detritus—“obtainium”—and then publicly display their creations at unique events.

The Obtainium Cup is one such event, where contestants take their vehicular confections over a 4-mile course through a series of zany challenges to compete for the coveted Obtainium Cup. This year, the challenges are being thrown down by the Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, Oz’s Flying Monkees, and Zombies from, well, just about everywhere it seems.

Obtainium Works has produced a number of exotic, outlandish vehicles for Bay Area and western events including Vallejo’s Mad Hatter Parade and Obtainium Cup; Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada; Maker Faire in San Mateo, the Grand Kinetic Championship in Eureka, and Battlebots. However, Obtainium Works’ vehicles are not mere conveyances, they are kinetic art and they merit the proper viewing during the Obtainium Cup rally so spectators are heartily encouraged to dress appropriately, in costume, should the spirit move them. The more creative and outlandish, the better.

To read a review of last year’s event, see “Obtainium Cup: Contraptor’s rally cruises around Mare Island” from the Vallejo Times-Journal. For more information on this year’s event, click here.