Boat on the River - Toy Camera Mode

A nice boat cruise along the Yarra River in the afternoon, as seen through the Lensbaby Tilt Adapter.

Return of the Strandbeest

More photos of the Strandbeest featured in Federation Square, Melbourne. Kinetic sculptures by Theo Jansen.

Refer to previous blog post: The Strandbeest in Melbourne, for further information.

The Strandbeest in Melbourne

The Strandbeest are kinetic sculptures that operate on wind and are able to move about as if they were living animals. They are created by Dutch artist Theo Jansen, who has a passion for combining art and engineering. 

The name "strandbeest" means beach animal in Dutch. These creatures are designed to walk on sandy surfaces. Theo has been working on various forms of strandbeest since 1990, and many of his creations walk around beaches freely as if they possessed a primitive form of artificial life.

The examples shown here in Federation Square in Melbourne are earlier forms of strandbeest, and unfortunately aren't able to demonstrate their usual self-autonomy here since the wind is not sufficient to power them, and their legs are not suitable to walk on hard ground. The larger beest here is named Animaris Umerus and measures 12m x 4m x 2m. The smaller one is Animaris Ordis Mutantis, measuring 4m x 2m x 2m, and is available for the public to play with.

I think quote from Theo Jansen's website explains the concept well:

Since 1990, Theo Jansen has been occupied with the making of a new nature. Not pollen or seeds but plastic yellow tubes are used as the basic material of this new nature. He makes skeletons which are able to walk on the wind. Eventually he wants to put these animals out in herds on the beaches, so they will live their own lives.

More photos added in new post: Return of the Strandbeest

Some further links for those interested:

• Theo Jansen's Website
• Federation Square - Strandbeest 
• Very interesting video on youtube

Birds in Sydney

The Angel of Yarra

The sculpture located on the bank of the Yarra River in Melbourne, in the inner city park named Birrarung Marr. The artwork is named Angel, and was originally commissioned by the National Gallery Victoria in 1985. It was installed at its current location in Birrarung Marr in 2006.

Photographed here in day light, and also at night with the Kubik Melbourne display in the background.

 

Red Panda

The red panda is an animal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. While it is a panda in name, it is only distantly related to the Giant Panda. The red panda has previously been classified in the raccoon family or bear family, but is now considered the sole surviving species in the ailuridae family, which is loosely related to raccoons and weasels.

Red pandas have no close living relatives, and their nearest fossil ancestors, Parailurus, lived 3-4 million years ago. The red panda may be the sole surviving species descending from ice age times.

Julia Goerges

Julia Goerges, German tennis player previously ranked 16th in womens singles but now dropped down to 21. Photos taken during Australian Open 2012 fourth round singles match against Agnieszka Radwanska.  

Agnieszka Radwanska

Polish tennis player Agnieszka Radwanska during fourth round Australian Open match against Julia Goerges.

A technical player that lacks pure hitting power, but relies on accurate placement and drop shots. Radwanska won this match, and reached her personal best ranking of #6 in the world at the end of the tournament.