Artist Theo Jansen and his fantastic beests

Created by Dutch artist Theo Jansen, these mechanical beings called Strandbeests are made to move sand and prevent erosion on beaches

Animaris Turgentia Vela (2013-2015, above) One of Dutch artist Theo Jansen’s more successful Strandbeests, the Turgentia Vela evolved as sails were attached to a simpler walking unit, the Ordis. Its walking speed changes with the strength of the wind. Jan
Animaris Turgentia Vela (2013-2015, above) One of Dutch artist Theo Jansen’s more successful Strandbeests, the Turgentia Vela evolved as sails were attached to a simpler walking unit, the Ordis. Its walking speed changes with the strength of the wind. Jansen says it can survive winds of up to 70kmh. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Artist’s favourite: Animaris Burchus Uminami (2016-present) Theo Jansen designed most of his Strandbeests with crankshafts, similar to those found in vehicles. The Burchus, or caterpillar-like Strandbeests, replace the crankshaft with spines running along
Artist’s favourite: Animaris Burchus Uminami (2016-present) Theo Jansen designed most of his Strandbeests with crankshafts, similar to those found in vehicles. The Burchus, or caterpillar-like Strandbeests, replace the crankshaft with spines running along the length of the body. Sand kept getting into the joints of earlier Strandbeests, which then needed cleaning and lubrication. The 5m-long Burchus Uminami is named after the Japanese words for sea (“umi”) and waves (“nami”) and was first exhibited in Mie Prefecture, Japan. It has to be pulled along, but newer versions are powered by air and gallop elegantly along the beach. “This is my favourite,” says Jansen. “It really runs fast, I really had to run after it as well.”
Akshita Nanda
Arts Correspondent
Updated
Jun 26, 2018, 08:02 AM
Published
Jun 26, 2018, 05:00 AM
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Dutch artist Theo Jansen is designing a new kind of artificial intelligence.

It started with wind-powered mechanical monsters meant to pile sand up on the beach to save the Netherlands from flooding. Coming up are flexible caterpillars that can curl into a spaceship and set off to explore different planets.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

ST One Digital

 $9.90/month

No contract

ST app access on 1 mobile device

Subscribe now

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 26, 2018, with the headline Artist Theo Jansen and his fantastic beests. Subscribe

Available for
iPhones and iPads
Available in
Google Play

MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

Back to the top