Theo Jansen

Theo Jansen ( born March 17, 1948) is a Dutch artist, art, evolutionaristische bionics and engineering sciences combined.

Life

Jansen studied physics at the University of Delft. After graduating, he began working as an artist. At first he focused exclusively on painting. In 1980 he built a "flying saucer ", which he let fly over Delft and thus caused a furor.

Since 1990, he developed kinetic art objects, which he calls Strandbeests (, beach animals '). It is continuous machines that are constructed of yellow plastic tubes, cable ties, nylon threads and tapes. Converting a rectilinear movement into a rotary motion ( or vice versa) is done via coupling mechanism. The time required for their kinetic energy they receive from the wind or air. The partially sighted animals similar and reminiscent of mythical creatures skeletal structures are located, according to the artist, are the 7th generation of an evolution towards " independent living beings ". The Strandbeests can be roughly oriented to their environment. So they anchor themselves in a gathering storm independently in the sand, with their antennae detect obstacles and change direction when they get into the water.

For its innovative kinetic art Theo Jansen got the special prize of the Prix Ars Electronica awarded in 2005. He was widely known in 2007 through the advert for the car brand BMW.