Having quit his studies in physics, Theo Jansen became an artist. In this video he demonstrates his amazing life-like kinetic sculptures, built from plastic tubes and bottles. His Beach Creatures or Strandbeest are built to move and even survive on their own:

I’ve been in touch with Theo Jansen recently. For further details about his creations he referred me to his book (available at his web shop ) entitled The Great Pretender. Even more details are provided in Boris Ingram’s thesis on leg designs based on 12-bar linkages, in which he describes Jansen’s walker algorithm. Jansen’s designs are computer-generated using an evolutionary algorithm, and the animals, which are wind powered, are made out of PVC piping.

The valves essentially act like logic gates, allowing water to pass or not depending on the state of the other gates.

Jansen’s creations do not require engines, sensors or any other type of advanced technology in order to walk and react to the environment. As for Boris Ingram’s work, it would be greatly enriched if it were to incorporate a wider range of possible structures and algorithms.

More online references:

• Theo Jansen’s webpage.
• Theo Jansen’s Strandbeests, artfutura.
• Wild Things are on the Beach, Wired Magazine.
• Theo Jansen’s interview.

Last Modified : May 1st, 2008 Filed under : General, Minds and Machines, New Ideas, Recreation Navigate : Previous post / Next post