theo jansen's moving 'strandbeest' sculptures at contemporary art museum, kumamoto

from july 3 to september 12, 2021, the contemporary art museum, kumamoto (CAMK) exhibits dutch artist theo jansen’s ‘strandbeests’. the experimental kinetic sculptures run on the sandy beaches of the netherlands using the power of wind to move. the exhibition brings together more than ten works, including a larger-than-life ‘strandbeest’ with a total length of over 10 meters, which visitors will be able to experience as it moves.
animaris plaudens vela
2013 (aurum 2013–2015)
10.0×6.0×4.0 m

all images © theo jansen

since 1990, theo jansen has been experimenting with mechanical engineering techniques, building skeletons that use the power of wind to move. called ‘strandbeests’ (‘beach animals’ in dutch), the moving sculptures are made out of yellow plastic tube, and their physics-based movement is smooth and organic, appearing like living things. jansen creates the kinetic works as as a ‘new species’, which will be able to survive on the sandy beaches independently, even after the artist’s death.
animaris percipiere primus
2006 (cerebrum 2006–2008)
10.0×2.0×3.0 m

more than ten ‘strandbeests’ will be on view at contemporary art museum, kumamoto from july 3, allowing visitors to experience the mechanics behind their movement. the sculptures are developed to acquire functions such as walking, turning, and danger detection, and will acquire a system for adapting to various environments. these life forms continue to evolve, offering new possibilities across the existing categories of art and science.
animaris uminami
2017 (bruchum 2016–2019)
5.0×4.5×3.0 m

animaris mulus
2017 (bruchum 2016–2019)
13.0×6.0×3.0 m

animaris omnia segunda
2018 (bruchum 2016–2019)
10.0×4.0×2.5 m
animaris rigide properans
1995 (tepideem 1994–1997)
2.5×1.6×2.0 m

theo jansen – strandbeests exhibition poster

exhibition info:

artist: theo jansen

venue: contemporary art museum, kumamoto, gallery I,II

dates: july 3 – september 12, 2021