Menagerie Strandbeests

I was looking at the west coast of the town and I noticed an old path that's long gone. And I realised: The Horned Bison used to come through here.

Memories. Much of Levis changes and evolves, but many in the realm trace back the memories of the land and its people even as others constantly look forwards.

In a combination of the two, the historians and creatives of Verim have created an artistic display that brings light, memory and artistry to acts of conservation, and history. Their goal - to remind people of the creatures around them, and what can be further lost should the city not cleave to the idea of being one with its surrounds. They have done this through a self sustaining art installation come vehicle - wind power driving a holographic display that highlights each of the species that are no longer native to the area, where they were observed before

Power Generation

It is a combination of wind energy and solar cells absorbing the latent head of the construct that propels the unit and powers the hollogram circuits of the display.

Propulsion

Large sails woven between the screens of the contruct catch and guide the movement of hundreds of articulated legs, joints on joints leading to the ever clicking sound of the strandbeest. It walks along subtle grooves into the pathways of Verim, ever driven forwards around a backtracking loop that reminds those around of their responsibilities.

Additional & auxiliary systems

The holograms set into the strandbeests are designed to project upon the white sails that stretch the construct's flank.

As the strandbeest moves these projections dance out, over and under - into the paths of Verim and over and into buildings along its journey. While this delights and thrills the young and visitors, over time a quiet tension has settled over those whose lives it affects.

Sabotage!

For several periods in its lifespan, the strandbeest has been the victim of vandalism or alteration.

Once it was guided off into the forest, found surrounded by stone-noodle.

Another time people attacked the sails and pushed it into a ditch, and when Verim city council asked why during a town meeting, it was shouted that the week off they had had was the most peaceful they have had in awhile.