Dutch kinetic artist Theo Jansen is using Shapeways 3D printing to realize the latest incarnations of his fabulous creeping Strandbeests. Theo Jansen is the original inventor of the ‘Animari’ beach creatures, or ‘Strandbeests.’ These sculptures were originally constructed of PVC tubing, bamboo and other lightweight materials so that they could walk the beach powered by the wind, but now the Strandbeests can be 3D printed and fully articulated without assembly.
Each sculpture consists of at least 76 separate moving interlocking parts. Multiple prototypes were used to come to the first viable solution, ‘Animaris Geneticus Parvus #5.’ But the evolution process continues: ‘#6’ has a lightweight bone structure and ‘#7’ has pointy feet. The ‘Strandbeests’ will continue to evolve, and as a new evolution of the beests become available, the older ones will die away in a Darwinian fashion.
Creepy 3D Printed Sculptures
Artist Theo Jansen Constructs Cool Printed 'Strandbeests'
Trend Themes
1. 3D Printing Sculptures - The use of 3D printing in sculpture creation allows for fully articulated creations without the need for assembly.
2. Kinetic Art - Theo Jansen's Strandbeests demonstrate the growing trend of kinetic art, which uses movement to captivate audiences.
3. Evolutionary Sculptures - The ongoing evolution of the Strandbeests showcases the trend of sculptures that continuously change and develop over time.
Industry Implications
1. Art - The intersection of 3D printing and kinetic art offers disruptive innovation opportunities for the art industry to create interactive and dynamic sculptures.
2. Manufacturing - The advancements in 3D printing technology provide disruptive innovation opportunities for the manufacturing industry to produce complex and intricate structures.
3. Entertainment - Theo Jansen's Strandbeests serve as a source of entertainment and open up disruptive innovation opportunities for the entertainment industry to create unique and mesmerizing experiences for audiences.