Wow

These were posted in another journal and I had to pass it along.  I am stunned, in awe.  I could never come up with this level of engineering, but what I wouldn't give just to share in the building of one of these creatures!

   

  

                                                                                            (concept rendering)

http://www.ozoux.com/eclectic/archive/2006/11/22/strandbeest - Video and history behind the Strand Beest.  These are walking skeletons built of lightweight electrical tubes and are wind-powered and can move over any terrain.  There is also a creature called the animaris rhinoceros transport  that is equipped with passanger seating and can be used for transport.  Due to the fact that one must wait until strong wind comes from the right direction, living quarters must be made in the animal to make travel aggreable.

The artist has been creating these "life forms" for 14 years.  Eventually he wants to put these animals on the beach where they will lead their own lives.

http://www.strandbeest.com/

Watch on YouTube

"Baby Its Cold Outside - Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban + Betty Garrat and Red Skelton.flv" (Watch on YouTube)