Theo Jansen Strandbeest Evolution 2017

For the past 20 years, Dutch artist Theo Jansen has been perfecting a new form of life—the “Strandbeest.” Like a modern-day Leonardo da Vinci, Jansen has applied both artistic and engineering skills to create the giant mechanical creatures that can walk on their own, powered only by the wind. “Strandbeests”—or “beach animals”—consist of skeletons fashioned from lightweight PVC tubes. The Wind propels their wing-like sails, which then drives their feet to walk sideways. Created on the Dutch seaside, the STRANDBEEST know to avoid water, walking in the opposite direction as soon as it comes in contact with their feelers.