Experience Theo Jansen's Asombrosas Criaturas: A Kinetic Sculpture Exhibition

Explore the world of Theo Jansen's 'Strandbeest' (Beach Beasts), kinetic sculptures that live, move, and evolve on the beach. This exhibition showcases these incredible creations, demonstrating their intricate design and the artist's unique blend of art and engineering.

The exhibition 'Theo Jansen. Asombrosas criaturas' presents the work of Dutch artist Theo Jansen, renowned for his 'Strandbeest' or Beach Beasts. These elaborate kinetic sculptures, primarily constructed from PVC tubes and tape, are designed to move and survive on beaches, powered by wind. Jansen's creations are presented as living entities that are born, walk, evolve, and eventually become extinct, akin to fossils. The exhibition at Espacio Fundación Telefónica features both living and fossilized creatures from October 23, 2015, to January 17, 2016. Jansen's artistic process is deeply intertwined with scientific principles, particularly evolution and natural selection. He developed a mathematical system, termed 'sacred numbers,' to define the precise lengths of the tubes that form the creatures' legs, enabling their peculiar gait. These 'Strandbeest' have evolved over time, developing complex mechanisms and even 'brains,' driven by Jansen's ambition to create self-sufficient, wind-powered life forms. The exhibition highlights this fusion of art and engineering, showcasing how Jansen pushes the boundaries of traditional sculpture to create dynamic, evolving beings that challenge our perception of artificial life.

The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 to 20:00, and Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 11:00 to 20:00. Commented visits are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at specific times, and on weekends. Most visits are free without reservation, with options for reserved guided tours.