If you’re reading this blog, there’s a fair chance that you’ve seen mentions of Theo Jansen’s strandbeests before: assemblies of pipes and sails that use complicated linkages to lumber across the ground like some ancient alien animal when the wind blows. They are both delicate and hulking.
But if you’re in North America, all you’ve been able to see are videos, pictures, or small toy reproductions. Until now.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day in 2016, San Francisco’s fantastic Exploratorium is going to be the exclusive West Coast host to the first North American exhibit of strandbeests. In addition to the large creatures themselves, including a brand-new one, the hands-on museum will be showcasing photos by Lena Herzog, video, and artist sketches.
Whether you’re a maker inspired by the mechanics, an artist inspired by the marriage of machines and nature, or simply someone who appreciates seeing unique sights, the strandbeest exhibit promises to be a lot of fun.
FYI this isn’t the “first North American exhibit”. They have been in Chicago, which I believe is still North America, since February. http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/strandbeest.html
Oh, thanks for the clarification. Their press release says, “The first North American traveling exhibition of strandbeests—giant, wind-powered, kinetic creatures by celebrated Dutch artist Theo Jansen—will be on view at the Exploratorium from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends in 2016.” So maybe it’s the traveling part that’s the first?
Or maybe it’s the first exhibit that will now be in San Francisco. Either way, negative reading-comprehension points for me today!
Also, a few beasts appeared at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MOCA) way back in 2007.
No matter whether it is the first or not – they are totally worth seeing & deserve to be highlighted. Thanks for the article.
Where do you see them? At the beach (where they belong)? Or somehow inside the Exploratorium, which sounds strange, and makes the TV Ads seem like false advertising. And if they’re done at the beach, do I still have to pay for Exploratorium entry fee (not really that interested, honestly). Plus can you just go watch them at the Beach, without paying for all the rest? And is there a shuttle bus in the equation? (please say No!)