It's not every day that you see a brand new life force. And this is exactly what the Danish artist Theo Jansen does with his kinetic sculptures. His "beach beasts" are wondrous wind automatons that have incredible realistic agility as they cascade down the seashore in the waves. These elegantly built creatures are genetically engineered and are constantly evolving to better suit their environment.
By definition, kinetic art is a direction in contemporary art, the main characteristic feature of which is the effect of the real movement of the entire work or its individual components. Today, the term is most commonly used to describe three-dimensional sculptures that tend to move unaided or powered by a motor. And the impressive work of the Dutch artist Theo Jansen fall under the first category.
But Theo Jansen was not always the creator of life. He used to study physics, but then abandoned it for the sake of the profession of an artist. He approached art from an unusual angle. At first, Janson almost caused a panic in the city because of his home UFO, and a year later he invented an amazing drawing machine.
In 1990 Theo Jansen finally found the perfect balance between physics and art. Then the first creatures from his series of "Beach Animals" (Strandbeest) began to appear. With the help of PVC pipes and fabric, the artist was able to construct incredible creatures. The number of tubes and the length of each tube determines the genetic "code" of each "animal", dictating how it will move and interact with its environment.
He calls his kinetic sculptures "animals". These creatures walk in herds along the beach, using only the energy of the wind. Some of them, like the Animaris Percipiere, have a stomach. It is made up of plastic bottles containing air, so the creature is able to capture and store wind and then keep moving for long periods of time.
Some of them may even burrow into the sand when the wind gets too strong and is in danger of being blown away. And the most complex creations of Jansen are able to recognize that they have entered the water, and begin to move in the opposite direction. So these "animals" made of plastic pipes even have a self-preservation instinct.
“I want these animals to live in herds on the beaches someday and become completely autonomous.”
Theo Jansen
If you think that the idea of wind creatures crawling on the beach is incredible, then you will be very surprised to find out how the artist himself envisions the future. Theo Jansen put forward the theory that one day "animals" will be able to develop as well as organic beings on Earth - challenging each other. The winner will absorb the loser's "DNA" and so they continue to grow and learn new things. Jansen says that these creatures will one day have muscles and then brains, which over time will be able to perform complex actions. This video gives a glimpse into the lives of animals and their creator.
For his progressive and inventive approach to art Theo Jansen has been called the "modern da Vinci". Whether the "beach beasts" evolve further or remain in their current form, their appearance is astonishing in itself, as an art phenomenon and as a fine example of inventive engineering. And watching the “beach animals” move in their flocks along the coast will remain one of the most unforgettable experiences in your life.
Since 1990, kinetic sculptor Theo Jansen has been building huge structures that resemble alien insects or the skeletons of prehistoric animals that are able to move under the influence of wind power. Kinetic sculptures or "beach animals"(Strandbeest), as the author himself calls them, created at the intersection of engineering and art, can not only move independently, but also respond to the environment, survive and “evolve”. Representatives of a new animal population, "bred" by Theo Jansen, they can recognize water and the type of soil, go around obstacles, and when a storm approaches, “snuggle” to the ground.“I want these animals to live in herds on the beaches someday and become completely autonomous,” dreams Theo Jansen.
During the exhibition, the famous Cosmos Pavilion at VDNKhturned into a makeshift beach, on which the amazing creations of Theo Jansen "walked". Each of "beach animals" constructed from a variety of plastic tubes, bottles, wooden blocks, polyethylene and adhesive tape, it has an original name and its own inherent character. Artist Theo Jansen assembled each of the 12 exhibits brought to Moscow with his own hands.
Public lecture by Theo Jansen took place on May 21, 2014 at as part of the opening of the educational program .
"Theo Jansen: liar valves, evolution via the Internet and portraits of women" - artist.
Interview with Theo Jansen:
- Dinosaurs in space /The Art Newspaper Russia
- “At the heart of the world lies an incredibly simple system” / Theories and Practices
- “My animals will live at least 10 million years” / Afisha.Air
- VDNKh will host the festival of science and curiosity "Polytech" / Vedomosti
Reference:
Theo Jansen was born in 1948 in The Hague. As a child, he was interested in both physics and art. While studying at the Delft University of Technology, the future designer and engineer took part in projects that combine art and new technologies. Before creating kinetic sculptures, Theo Jansen designed mechanical animals and built a model of a UFO. Extraordinary "creatures" - "Strandbeest" Theo began to create in 1990. As a result of numerous experiments, he invented a method that allows you to move heavy objects thanks to the power of air. Jansen deliberately did not patent his discovery, on the contrary, he made it available to everyone by posting it on his website so that, if desired, everyone could create their own personal "beast".
From 1995 to the present, Theo Jansen has been a regular participant in international exhibitions (in 2012, the Strandbeest exhibition in Buenos Aires was visited by more than 2,000,000 people). In 1996, the artist received the Max Reneman Prize Klimmen, the first of many awards given to Theo Jansen for Strandbeest.
kinetic art in recent years, it has been at the peak of popularity, because the masters, who have mastered light and movement, manage to achieve a stunning effect - to overcome the static sculpture. In our review - 8 most original examples as art objects come to life.
1.Fantastic mechanism by artist Lime Young
Lime Young is a real virtuoso. The master manages to design the most complex mechanisms from boards, microprocessors, servo drives and other mechanical devices. Activated, his kinetic sculptures have a magnetic effect on the audience, because it is simply impossible for the layman to unravel the riddle of the mechanism.
2.Silhouettes of cars from metal spheres
appeared a few years ago, but still causes delight. 714 metal spheres are stacked to form car models of different years.
3. Wing flap by Bob Potts
70-year-old sculptor Bob Potts creates minimalistic, but no less impressive works. His kinetic sculptures imitate the flapping of a bird's wings or the movement of an oar while rowing. It is amazing how the master manages to convey the trajectory of movement so accurately.
4. "Dancing" sculptures by Anthony Howe
works with rough material - steel reinforcement, but creates surprisingly harmonious kinetic sculptures. In calm weather, they look elegant and sophisticated, and with the first breath of the breeze, they begin their bizarre dance.
5. Mechanical Fish by ArtMechanicus Art Group
Through the efforts of the art group ArtMechanicus, more than one "mechanical fish" has been born. In the collection of Moscow masters, there are “Fish-House”, reminiscent of Noah's Ark, “Fish-Knight”, personifying a lonely horseman, “Nut Fish”, symbolizing the desire for beauty, and “Ram-Fish”, an allegory of the struggle between living and inanimate principles.
6. Wood Wonders by David Roy
David Roy gives his touching and tender names - "Fiesta", "Summer Rain", "Sunny Dance", "Serenade", "Zephyr". Wooden creations are set in motion by the wind and immediately become light and elegant.
7. Kinetic device playing the violin. Author - Seth Goldstein
Seth Goldstein is a mechanical engineer who managed to create a device that can copy the movement of hands. Equipped with actuators, rotors, pulleys and computer chips, the kinetic sculpture recognizes audio files played on an electronic keyboard and then plays a melody on the violin.
8 Giant Animal Sculptures by Theo Jansen
Giant miracle monsters that, obeying the gusts of the wind, come to life, Theo Jansen creates from plastic tubes, cable cord, nylon ropes and adhesive tape. And after - arranges fun beach walks of insectoid animals. Without a doubt, .
Since 1990, kinetic sculptor Theo Jansen has been building huge structures that resemble alien insects or the skeletons of prehistoric animals that are able to move under the influence of wind power. Kinetic sculptures or "beach animals"(Strandbeest), as the author himself calls them, created at the intersection of engineering and art, can not only move independently, but also respond to the environment, survive and “evolve”. Representatives of a new animal population, "bred" by Theo Jansen, they can recognize water and the type of soil, go around obstacles, and when a storm approaches, “snuggle” to the ground.“I want these animals to live in herds on the beaches someday and become completely autonomous,” dreams Theo Jansen.
Jansen's assistants staged demonstrations of the movement of large creatures using a specially assembled pneumatic system. Large kinetic sculptures by Theo Jansen could be seen in motion on weekends, and weekdays there was an opportunity to independently drive a smaller creatureAnimaris Ordis, even a child could cope with the control system.
During the exhibition "The Kinetic Life of Sandy Beaches" the famous pavilion "Cosmos" at VDNKhturned into a makeshift beach, on which the amazing creations of Theo Jansen "walked". Each of "beach animals" constructed from a variety of plastic tubes, bottles, wooden blocks, polyethylene and adhesive tape, it has an original name and its own inherent character. Artist Theo Jansen assembled each of the 12 exhibits brought to Moscow with his own hands.
Guests were treated not only to kinetic sculptures, but also to special services from the general partner of the exhibition, the company"Megaphone". For example, interactive exhibition guide. At the entrance, each visitor could download a special application for free, which told in detail about Jansen's "beach animals". And from May 24 to July 20, Instagram passed. The winners received prizes from the Polytechnic Museum and MegaFon.
Theo Jansen's exhibition "The Kinetic Life of Sandy Beaches" opened in the presence of the author on May 24 and 25, 2014 at Industry Square, VDNKh, as well as in the Space and No. 26 pavilions, where in the spring of 2014 the Polytechnic Museum started working.
Public lecture by Theo Jansen took place on May 21, 2014 at as part of the opening of the educational program .
"Theo Jansen: liar valves, evolution via the Internet and portraits of women" - artist.
Interview with Theo Jansen:
- Dinosaurs in space /The Art Newspaper Russia
- “At the heart of the world lies an incredibly simple system” / Theories and Practices
- “My animals will live at least 10 million years” / Afisha.Air
- VDNKh will host the festival of science and curiosity "Polytech" / Vedomosti
Reference:
Theo Jansen was born in 1948 in The Hague. As a child, he was interested in both physics and art. While studying at the Delft University of Technology, the future designer and engineer took part in projects that combine art and new technologies. Before creating kinetic sculptures, Theo Jansen designed mechanical animals and built a model of a UFO. Extraordinary "creatures" - "Strandbeest" Theo began to create in 1990. As a result of numerous experiments, he invented a method that allows you to move heavy objects thanks to the power of air. Jansen deliberately did not patent his discovery, on the contrary, he made it available to everyone by posting it on his website so that, if desired, everyone could create their own personal "beast".
From 1995 to the present, Theo Jansen has been a regular participant in international exhibitions (in 2012, the Strandbeest exhibition in Buenos Aires was visited by more than 2,000,000 people). In 1996, the artist received the Max Reneman Prize Klimmen, the first of many awards given to Theo Jansen for Strandbeest.
