Saturday, 23 April 2011

Theo Jansen's Moving Sculptures




Strandbeests are kinetic sculptures designed by Dutch artist Theo Jansen made from lemonade bottles and plastic tubes that can walk, unassisted, just by catching a bit of wind in raised sails. The strandbeests have basic brains in the form of binary step counters and bottles to catch liquid. In the effect of a storm, the 'beests lower their sails and drive pins into the ground so they don't blow away." Jansen hopes to give his strandbeest enough autonomy that they can wander own their own. Jansen has likened this method of transportation to the wheel, and, using his new technique, created the 3 ton "animaris rhinoceros transport", which could be moved easily by one person simply pushing it. 



Halfway between engineer and artist, Jansen is a kinetic sculptor who has been working with his moving art forms for the last few decades. Over the last 20 years he's gained the recognition he deserves, with books published about his works, speaking engagements at TED, commercials made for BMW and international accolades. 



Check out his speech and presentation at TED. And if you like his work enough, you can even track down and buy a minature version of his Strandbeests.

Burn brightly, Pete

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