Elenco Strandbeest - Manual (Page 9)

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Pre-Gluton Period
(pre 1990)
Gluton period
(1990-91)
(time of tapes)
Chorda Period
(1991-93)
(strap period)
T h e o J a n s e n ' s p h i l o s o p h y , a r t i fi c i a l l i f e f o r m ' s a d a p t a b i l i t y , a n d t h e i r b e h a v i o r .
Tracing the Evolution of
the Strandbeest
Pre-Gluton Period (pre 1990) Gluton period (1990-91) Chorda Period (1991-93) Calidum period (1993-1994) Lignatum period (1997-2001) Vaporum period (2001-2006) Cerebrum period (2006-current) Tepideem period (1994-1997)
Beest is how beast is spelled in Dutch.
It's been over two decades since Theo
Jansen conceived the idea of an artificial
life form, the strandbeest. How did the
beests evolve and what kind of ideas and
philosophy supported this evolution?
Let's look at the evolutional history of the
strandbeests in 8 periods.
Simulation of artificial life forms
Theo Jansen had a desire, "I would like to create a new
type of life form and observe its evolution." The first life
Jansen created was "lineamentum", line animation on the
computer. Then "Quadrupes", a box shaped body
computer graphic animal, was born.
In the past, imaginary creatures existed only in the imagination
of a creature. Now, I created imaginary organisms on the
computer that will develop through artificial evolution.
Walking animal made of pipes and
straps was born!
Chorda means string or strap. Instead of adhesive tape,
nylon straps were used to tie and join the pipes
together. As a result, a beest that is strong enough to
support its own weight and walk was born.
Previously, a leg consisted of a thigh, calf, and foot.
Now the calf and foot joined in one unit. A three part
leg evolved to a two part leg, thigh and calf.
The name chorda came from the method that beests are
put together by cords. Animaris currens vulgaris is the
first beest that can stand and walk.
Taping together the pipes to construct the body
The first real life creature was "Animaris Vulgaris".
Vulgaris means common or ordinary in Latin. Pipe
segments are attached by adhesive tape. The taped
joints were not strong enough for this beest to walk on
the ground.
I would like to use plastic pipes as the element to construct
beests. Just as a large part of our nature is made of protein, my
life forms are made of a single key element.
Animaris Lineamentum
The first creation was made
on the computer. Each unit
has a very simple form, but
they are built with a
condition to accept natural
selection: Each unit will be
fatally wounded if the sharp
end of one unit scratches
the other unit.
Quadrupes
The square body moves
around on the computer by
bending and stretching the
four legs.
Animaris Vulgaris
It has 16 legs. It can move
the legs only when it lies
on its back. 0.6x2x2.5m
Legs of currens vulgaris
The right most leg
automatically takes the
position.
Animaris currens vulgaris
First walking beest. 1.4x2.1x2m