Art Basel Miami Beach 2014: Theo Jansen's wind sculptures more than just hot air

Six massive wind-powered beach animals to walk along Miami Beach

The international art world flock to sunny Miami Beach for Art Basel art fair next month – and not just to party. There are more than 250 leading international galleries showing modern and contemporary pieces, from top artists, as well as pieces by emerging stars, for Art Basel Miami Beach next month.

More unusual are the six massive beach animals, known as Strandbeests, by Dutch artist Theo Jansen, that will use wind power to walk along a central stretch of Miami Beach, during the Miami art fair. The kinetic, wind-powered beasts, including Animaris Turgentia Vela, which looks like a giant prawn, are constructed from PVC tubes, plastic bottles and recycled materials.

They are able to “respond to environmental conditions by storing wind power, changing direction when they sense water and anchoring themselves during storms”.

This beach presentation is Jansen’s first major US tour and debuts his newest creature, a 42-foot-long Animaris Suspendisse.

Art Basel, Miami Beach runs from 4 to 7 December. Daily performances of the Strandbeests, Oceanfront between 21st & 22nd Street, Miami Beach, 3 to 7 December