Talk in GAM

Before opening his exhibition in Chile, Theo Jansen conducted a talk at the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center – GAM on April 12th, where he discussed topics such as creation and observation of the environment, nature, evolution, probability, and mathematical algorithms. In addition, he explained the mechanical processes behind different parts of his Strandbeests through interactive demonstrations. He also spoke about the evolution of his creative process over the past 27 years of his life.

A few days prior to the conference, attendees were invited to digitally send a question for Jansen on Twitter, using the hashtag #theojansenchile. The following were chosen an answered by the artist on the 12th:

How can the Strandbeests adapt to this post-plastic era in which we are living in?

What is your vision on the education of children and young adults?

What are your thoughts on robotics seen as a threat to human work and, in general, as a dehumanizing element?

The conference was also live streamed on www.gam.cl and www.cultura.gob.cl, which received more than 850 views. The streaming was also screened at the following centers across Chile through the CECREA program:

  • Arica. Centro CECREA. Pasaje Sangra 357
  • Iquique. Espacio CECREA. Baquedano 951, al costado del Museo regional
  • Vallenar. Centro provincial de Educación. Ramírez 740
  • La Serena. Colegio Nuestra Señora de Andacollo. Isidoro Campaña 2879. Compañía Alta
  • La Ligua. Centro CECREA, Pedro Polanco 480.
  • Concepción. Ministerio de las Culturas. Cochane 1064.
  • Temuco. Centro CECREA. Vicuña Mackenna 270.
  • Punta Arenas. Salón Gabriela Mistral, Secretaría regional de Educación. Ignacio Carrera Pinto 1259.

Organized by Fundación Mar Adentro and the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center. 

The conference was also screened outside the entrance hall to the conference room for those who did not manage to attend the conference.
Jansen explaining his 13 holy numbers and leg model.
Jansen with Ramón López, President of the Board of GAM, together demonstrating the mechanics of Strandbeests.
The audience that attended could greet the artist at the end of the conference and receive his autograph.
Streaming in the CECREA Center of Temuco.
Streaming in Chiloé, Castro
Streaming in Espacio CECREA in Iquique.
Streaming in the School Nuestra Señora de Andacollo, La Serena.
Streaming in the the Gabriela Mistral Room, Regional Secretariat of Education in Punta Arenas.
Streaming in Los Ángeles, Chile.