There’s something eerie yet magical about Theo Jansen’s creations and the way they move independently. Of course, it’s not independent from the wind, which is the driving force behind the Strandbeests’ lifelike walk. A brainchild of engineering, science and art, these globally famous pseudo-animals are set to gather in Southeast Asia for the first time.
The exhibition features 13 large-scale Strandbeests (‘beach animals’ in Dutch), including the largest which measures 10 metres in length and over 240 kg in weight. And if you think these creatures are only founded on aesthetic purposes, they were conceived as a solution to flooding caused by rising sea levels. Equipped with ‘muscles’ and ‘bone’, they push and pile sand on the shore to form natural barriers. It’s interesting to note that the Dutch sculptor’s background draws parallels to Da Vinci himself, being trained as a physicist before becoming a painter. Now, see 28 years of his dedication and design presented in one integrated experience.
Wind Walkers: Theo Jansen’s Strandbeests shows at the ArtScience museum from 23 June to 30 September.
