Theo Jansen: The art of creating creatures

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Artist Theo Jansen demonstrates the amazingly lifelike kinetic sculptures he builds from plastic tubes and lemonade bottles. His creatures are designed to move -- and even survive -- on their own.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers are invited to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes -- including speakers such as Jill Bolte Taylor, Sir Ken Robinson, Hans Rosling, Al Gore and Arthur Benjamin. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, politics and the arts. Watch the Top 10 TEDTalks on TED.com, at


Channel: Science & Technology
Uploaded: September 6, 2007 at 11:22 am
Author: TEDtalksDirector

Length: 00:10:10
Rating: 4.89
Views: 339404

Tags: Theo Jansen TED TEDTalks Talks creatures strandbeests kinetic sculptures

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Video Comments:
CRabbit86 (November 26, 2008 at 4:12 am)
What a great inventor! Very cool!
Talixaen (November 22, 2008 at 10:56 pm)
Can you just imagine having a bike that, when you pedaled it, feet moved? That would be so cool.

I'm sure there are better uses than this, but I like imagining a feetbike.
helonic (November 22, 2008 at 4:22 pm)
whats the point of building such machines? don`t get it.
SirPedta (November 22, 2008 at 9:00 pm)
in 100 years we have no more cars, only such machines to "drive"...;)
lostinitall4414 (December 2, 2008 at 2:09 am)
What do you mean, "What's the point?" What is NOT the point? Are we not allowed to be creative?

There is always a point to any action unless it infringes upon another's ability to do the same.

I think this is absolutely brilliant and this world would be a better place if there were more people like this man.
helonic (December 2, 2008 at 9:49 am)
hmm.. well, I just didn`t get the point concerning what he was trying to say?
They look cool for sure, but in what way can you apply that?
toptenhits (November 18, 2008 at 10:50 pm)
Life is difficult to describe, even for those who study life.
I think What is life? is not important here. Pure thought and extraordinary inspiration is the beauty and wonder of Theo Jansen.
ki6eki (November 18, 2008 at 7:39 pm)
wow.. seriously a guy moved a 3.2 ton object.. that's better than the wheel..
THX1138hxc (November 18, 2008 at 2:30 am)
such amazing and profound designs.
kf1000 (November 18, 2008 at 2:08 am)
I'm seriously concerned about anyone that wouldn't simply view this with wide-eyed amazement. Imagine if they could replicate via a trip to the hardware store!! How cool.