Strandbeests By: Casey Damon
Stranbeests are large mechanisms, created out of PVC, that are able to move on their own. These "creatures" were first created in 1990, by a Dutch artist, named Theo Jansen. His creations, a mix between art and engineering, wonder the coastlines, opperating fully by themselves, relying solely on wind to move.
Jansen first began creating Strandbeests in 1990. He originally wanted to create something that would kick up sand to stop the sea level from rising in the Netherlands. As he began doing more and more work, he became more and more interested in the creations he was making and the evolution theory.
The Strandbeests undergo many changes. Each of the 38 he has made, have different mechanics that operate the "animal" a different way. Every problem that occurs, is fixed in the next.
In the beginning of Jansens set of creations, the Strandbeests were only able to move when there was wind. Having evolved from the last, they are now able to trap wind in recycled bottles attached to the Strandbeests.
The Strandbeests also had multiple problems with sand entering the crevices of the PVC pipes and the feet getting stuck in the sand. All, which were fixed in the following Standbeest.
Having to rely on solely wind to operate, the Strandbeests continued to move towards the sea. Jansen soon fixed the problem by adding sensors, that when water touched them, stopped the creatures from moving.
Jansen, still creating more Strandbeests each year, wants his species to live on past his life. "Although they still need more work," says Jansen, he hopes for his animals to survive on their own.
The Strandbeests I created includes a wide shovel and wings. I placed the shovel there because this will help with the amount of sand entering the joints of the PVC pipes. This also would help the Strandbeests move around if the beach has dunes. I placed wings on my Strandbeests to give it the ability to fly. But notice how the wings are small? This is because I didn't want to make them too big that it would be able to leave the beach. Think of the wings as wings on a chicken, they allow them to fly, but for a short distance, for a short amount of time, above the ground only a little.
Created with images by DaveFayram - "Gakken Strandbeest 1" • AndyRobertsPhotos - "P6260043"