In June of 2010 a strange new life form descended upon Seoul from the stark coastline of Holland. Dutchman Theo Jansen has combined science and art to create his “Strandbeests” which are modular animal inspired wonders of imagination and engineering. His animal modulars are made of tubes, plastics, pistons, and bottles.
Jansen’s skeletal creations fit snugly into the kinetic art scene where motion is necessary for the work’s desired effect. With the exhibition Animaris Modular the bizarre creations’ movement mimics the motion of real creatures powered by the wind.
Since 1990 Theo Jansen has been occupied with the making of a new nature. Not pollen or seeds but plastic yellow tubes are used as the basic material of this new nature. He makes skeletons which are able to walk on the wind. Eventually he wants to put these animals out in herds on the beaches, so they will live their own lives.
I’m not sure Jansen’s creations would survive out in the wild on their own considering their fragile nature would be up against the whims of mother nature and the childlike capriciousness of bystanders to either stare in abject wonder or tear the “Strandbeests” apart in an attempt to discover their secrets.
The Good:
There are quite a number of Jansen’s “Strandbeests” on display.
There’s a demonstration of a couple of the larger works
The Bad:
Some of the pieces look like someone’s kid got to them
The demonstration gets packed so get a good spot
The brochure and demo is only in Korean
The Weird:
Jansen’s work is weird enough, but there is a cardboard cut out where you can take a picture with him.
The exhibit will continue to run through the 17th of October.
Website: Theo Jansen Korea
Location: Gwancheon National Science Museum
Price: 3,500 to 13,000 KRW
You can also purchase co-admission to the actual Science Museum
Directions: Seoul Grand Park Subway Station Exit 4
Links:
Check Out the Video Below!
