Dutch artist Theo Jansen with one of his Strandbeests. (Courtesy of Boston Globe)
Experience Strandbeests, the Wind-Powered Walking Sculptures on View at the Exploratorium
24 May 2016
Dutch artist Theo Jansen with one of his Strandbeests. (Courtesy of Boston Globe)
These giant skeleton-like creatures are made out of PVC tubing and other hardware store materials, and are able to walk on their own— it's pretty amazing to behold.
"They have to survive the storms, the water, the sand," Jansen told ABC7. "There have been many generations of strandbeest. It's an evolution process."
Jansen has been working on perfecting the strandbeests since 1990. Over time, his creations evolved to become more complex and lifelike. Now these creatures are able to self-adapt to seaside environments by sensing their surroundings. In the absence of the wind, strandbeests are still able to accumulate air pressure to move.
Strandbeests will roam the Exploratorium starting Friday, May 27 as part of their first North American tour, Strandbeest: The Dream Machines of Theo Jansen.
Watch 'em go in the video below!
// See the exhibit at the Exploratorium (Pier 15, Bechtel Central gallery) from May 27 to September 5, 2016. Tickets can be purchased in advance, exploratorium.edu
Compilation from Strandbeest on Vimeo