Strandbeesten

Dutch artist Theo Jansen (b. 1948, The Hague) has achieved worldwide recognition for his imposing and ingenious strandbeests, which are much more than art objects. They actually try to create dunes themselves. Taking his inspiration from the theory of evolution, Jansen has taught his strandbeests to float on the sea breeze and to walk independently along the beach. Using PVC tubing, adhesive tape and PET bottles, he has brought a completely new life form into existence. In so doing, he seeks insight into the origins of life itself. His ultimate aim is to have herds of his creations roam the beach all on their own. ‘Give me another couple of million years, and my strandbeests will live completely independently.’

Text in English and Dutch.