On opening night of The Roots n Blues n BBQ Festival, Missouri artist Joseph Edwards set up his bicycle powered spinning canvas at the Art Village near the Missouri Lottery Stage. Up until the last performance of the night, The Avett Brothers, Edwards’ machine entertained long lines of festival-goers.
Can you explain what you made?
“It’s a bicycle powered spinning easel. I have a few a few different names for it but ‘Art of the Revolution’ is one. You use a stationary bike, a few belts, a gear and pulleys, and it spins the canvas right in front of you. I’ve been doing spin painting for about five years and about two and half years ago [I] attached the bicycle to it. I’ve been traveling around the Mid-West doing festivals, letting kids, big kids [and] adults come and paint and take canvases home with them.”
How did you hear about Roots n Blues n BBQ?
“Having had lived in Columbia, it came about. I’ve lived in CoMo now for about six years.”
Do you have a favorite part of the festival?
“Hearing local [musicians] on the stage.”
What projects are you working on now?
“Whenever the time is right I’m going to attempt to set a Guinness world record with the world’s largest bicycle powered spinning painting. I’m gonna build a 20 foot circle and have it bicycle powered. It’s gonna be in Columbia.”
What has your experience at the festival been like so far? Let us know in the comments below.