Here’s another thing your missing by not being in Pittsburgh. Art here, has merged with sports to create–Art Olympic Theater a smack down almost as mean as Painters NYC.

This is a video of the second incarnation of this event, which involves teams of artists competing to create installation pieces.

“The overly accessorized, rainbow Spandex costumed members of Team Self-es-Team began a victory dance through the audience a bit too soon. Out of nowhere Loewen’s team, which included artists Emily Walley, David Hale and Evan Thomas, completed the final element of a complex kinetic art sculpture involving a lighted inflatable attachment and all four members of the team whirling on miniature revolving sculptures. As the four team members twirled, pulleys connected to a large central inflatable piece began to move as well. The clever combination of engineering and artistry incited cheers of excitement from the crowd and high scores from the event judges.”

I was a judge for the first one of these, which was at The Mattress Factory. It’s been fun and hasn’t exploded into a drug scandal yet.