Theo Jansen makes art that runs on air. Air, and merciless, swift mechanical legs.
When observing some people, it is impossible to distinguish between artist and homicidal psychopath. Theo Jansen, shown in one image below either trying to get one of his ‘kinetic sculptures’ to start moving, or already enslaved by it and pulling a yoke like an oxen, is one of those people. Although his art is designed to be powered by natural forces, it supplements its diet with human flesh. One beast – Jansen’s word – uses white flags to indicate surrender, luring humans close. Other beasts swarm or thresh.
His website, Strandbeest, says, “Since 1990 I have been occupied creating new forms of life. Not pollen or seeds but plastic yellow tubes are used as the basis for this new nature. I make skeletons that are able to walk on the wind, so they don’t have to eat.” Sure, that sounds like serial killer talk, but it’s probably harmless. Unless . . .
“I want to put these animals out in herds on the beaches so they will live their own lives,” he says in a video about his work. The lunatic. He’s killed us all.
You can see more of Jansen’s work on his website.
