Theo Jansen Sculpture

Wind powered animal sculpture unleashed on city

A huge wind-powered animal sculpture will be unleashed in a city centre of Exeter.

The 33ft (10m) long mechanical "strandbeest" - meaning beach animal - will prowl through Exeter's retail heart, Princesshay.

The sculpture, designed by Dutch artist Theo Jansen, is engineered from scrap plastic tubing and water bottles.

The 15ft (4.5m) high creation - named Ventosa Siamesis - takes the form of a twin structure with two creatures working together.

Mr Jansen took inspiration from "Darwinian evolution" and used engineering principles to create sophisticated animal-like abilities.

"Complex articulated locomotion" enables the strandbeest to walk, and sensory mechanisms allow it to respond to the environment.

If the wind is very strong, the strandbeest hammers its feet into the sand, and if the strandbeest goes too close to the sea, it can detect this and move in the opposite direction.

The creation will be on display from today until Sunday.

Exeter City Councillor Stella Brock said: "It's terrific to welcome Theo Jansen's creativity to the city.

"His strandbeest will thrill visitors and the people of Exeter when it visits this weekend.

"The festival is one of the landmark events in Exeter's cultural diary - this year is even bigger with a record number of free events for all tastes and age groups.

"Theo's work is one example of the creative talent that has come to Exeter this summertime."