Sculptures that can move? These mobile “animals” are the artistic vision of Dutch artist and kinetic sculptor Theo Jansen. Since 1990 Jansen has been creating a new form of art in motion that lives on beaches. Jansen’s animals are wind powered and were seen in a BMW commercial in 2006.
The skeletal structure of each animal is made from electrical tubes bound together by zip ties. A rotating spine in the internal structure of the creatures allow the animals to move forwards and backwards. Jansen developed these kinetic sculptures to escape from water when detected. Don’t expect Jansen’s mobile sculptures to be seen on a beach near you. They’re only located on the beaches of the Netherlands.
“Over time, these skeletons have become increasingly better at surviving the elements such as storm and water and eventually I want to put these animals out in herds on the beaches, so they will live their own lives.” – Theo Jansen
Since 1990 artist and sculptor Theo Jansen has created moving sculptures on the beaches of Netherlands. Each “animal” is wind powered and made out of electrical tubes and bound together by zip ties. A rotating spine allow each animal to move forwards and backwards. Learn more at strandbeest.com
