STRANDBEEST: Is Inorganic Life Possible?
Theo Jansen from Salazar on Vimeo.
Directed and Produced by Salazar for Red Bull Media House
To learn more about Theo and his beasts
www.strandbeest.com
Music: Edo Van Breemen
Editor: Jason Myers
www.salazarfilm.com
www.redbullmediahouse.com
Is inorganic life even possible? Is this guy a reincarnation of Leonardo da Vinci? No, but certainly one of his modern day counterparts. Meet Theo Jansen, artist. A master of creating life from cheap Dutch yellow electrical conduit.
“Theo Jansen (born 1948) is a Dutch artist. In 1990, he began what he is known for today: building large mechanical animals out of PVC that are able to live on their own, known as Strandbeest. His animated works are a fusion of art and engineering; in a car company (BMW) television commercial Jansen says: “The walls between art and engineering exist only in our minds.” He strives to equip his creations with their own artificial intelligence so they can avoid obstacles by changing course when one is detected, such as the sea itself.”- Wikipedia
Theo Jansen, creator of the Strandbeest. Photo Source: Strandbeest.com
“Since 1990 I have been occupied creating NEW FORMS OF LIFE.
Not pollen or seeds but PLASTIC YELLOW TUBES are used as the basic material of this new nature. I make skeletons that are able to WALK ON THE WIND, so they do not have to eat.
Over time, these skeletons have become increasingly better at SURVIVING THE ELEMENTS sun 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.
I could but wonder how soon until these marvelous animated life forms find their way into a full length Hollywood motion picture? StarWars:March of the Strandbeest. Coming in November, to a theater near you. Mr. Spelberg, Mr. Lucas, meet Theo Jansen, STRANDBEEST creator of animated life. Here is some more of his outrageously over the top creative STRANDBEEST work.
Compilation from Strandbeest on Vimeo.
This is the first story in a new category called MAKE GOOD ART. I hope you enjoyed it! A big “Thank You!” goes out to Uwe Steinmueller of outbackphoto.com for suggesting the subject of the story. If you see a great story I should be sharing with our group, please email me and let me know. I am always glad to hear from my readers with suggestions or feedback of any kind.
Warmest Regards, and Have a GREAT Day!
Chuck Jones
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