Art Madrid'26 – Theo Jansen. Amazing Creatures at Fundación Telefónica

 

 

"The sea does nothing but rise, and this threatens to push the limits of our land to where they were in the Middle Ages. And we all know that in that tiny bit that we will shortly be able to do. Therefore, the big question is: how to get more grains of sand dunes to our? It would be great if we had some animals removieran sand of our beaches, thrown into the air, so that then the wind to take care of the dunes. "  With these words, Theo Jansen (1948, Scheveningen) spoke for the first time about his creatures in a newspaper, then were just an engineering project with ecological message and aimed at curbing some of the effects of climate change. However, their Strandbeest, the beach beasts, began to have life beyond the hands of its creator.

 

 

 

Theo Jansen's kinetic sculptures are made of plastic tubes of electrical installations, rods, bottles ... industrial materials that take the rudimentary form of giant skeletons and runs thanks to the wind that blows along the Dutch beaches. These beings walking on the sand, evolve in generations and die after just a year, becoming fossil of the postmodern era. Jansen, who trained as an engineer and scientist at the Technical University of Delft, was fascinated with the book "The Blind Watchmaker" by British zoologist Richard Dawkins, the theory of evolution and natural selection of species, and he decided to create creatures increasingly self-sufficient and autonomous, able to survive and remain in their habitat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, at Telefónica Foundation Space, the exhibition Theo Jansen. Amazing creatures, displays 13 of his 40 living and fossil creations, with evocative names such as Ordis, Currens Vaporis, Currens Ventosa, Rhinoceros Tabulae or Percipiere Primus ...

 

 

 

 

"The barriers between art and engineering exist only in our mind," says Jansen. But Jansen's are more than kinetic sculptures that provide aesthetic experiences through movement. The Strandbeest born of a creative process that combines mathematics (Theo Jansen calculated thirteen "sacred numbers" 25 years ago with an Atari computer that indicate the length of the tubes that make up the legs and define the peculiar gait of animals beach), ecology (the contact with nature and materials carries Jansen to invent each animal) and biological evolution (creatures born in a wooden case in October, their first steps in winter, in spring they run free on the beach and at the end of the summer, the creature expires). The aim of this thought process: create faster, more complex and more autonomous creatures. Today, Theo Jansen works (since 2006) in "Cerebrum", a creature with an antenna and pedometer that will allow you to avoid obstacles and remain away from water.

 

 



Liquitex at Art Madrid’26: Creativity, Innovation and a Commitment to the Future of Art

Since 1955, Liquitex has built a distinguished legacy rooted in continuous innovation, technical excellence, and unwavering support for the artistic community. Its history is closely intertwined with the evolution of contemporary art, accompanying generations of creators with materials that expand expressive possibilities and encourage fearless experimentation.

At the 21st edition of Art Madrid, Liquitex renews its commitment to contemporary creation, reaffirming its position as a leading brand in professional acrylics and a strategic partner to both emerging and established artists.



Liquitex has transformed the world of acrylics since inventing the first water-based acrylic paint. Today, its portfolio continues to set industry standards through advanced formulations, exceptional color vibrancy, and remarkable versatility across artistic disciplines. Each product is designed to provide total control over color, texture, and finish, empowering artists to explore new techniques and develop work with a distinct voice. For Liquitex, innovation is not an end in itself, but a catalyst for creative freedom.



Under the tagline Just Imagine, Liquitex invites artists to challenge boundaries and embrace art as a space of limitless possibility. This philosophy not only defines its creative approach but also translates into a tangible commitment to artistic growth, offering materials conceived to support experimental processes and contemporary narratives.

Every brushstroke, every blend, and every surface transformed with Liquitex becomes an opportunity to imagine without constraint and create bold visual narratives.



Liquitex and the Support of Emerging Talent: Espacio Nebrija

At Art Madrid’26, Liquitex strengthens its dedication to nurturing and professionalizing emerging talent through its sponsorship of Espacio Nebrija, a curatorial initiative developed by Universidad Nebrija. For the second consecutive time, the project offers Fine Arts students the opportunity to make their professional debut within the contemporary art circuit.

Curated by Luis Gárciga, the project proposes a critical reflection on artistic pedagogy, the art market, and technology through the concept NotanIA SipedagogIE—an aesthetic, empathetic, and anti-algorithmic pedagogy that champions Aesthetic Intelligence in response to creative automation.

The stand is conceived as a space of transition, resistance, and experimentation, bringing visibility to the processes, aspirations, and perspectives of a new generation of artists in formation. Thanks to Liquitex’s support, participants have access to professional-grade materials that enable them to develop their projects with complete technical and conceptual freedom, fostering an environment grounded in research, experimentation, and critical inquiry.



Liquitex’s presence at Art Madrid’26 underscores its commitment to a responsible brand model actively engaged with the future of art. Recently awarded B Corp Certification, Liquitex joins a global community of companies dedicated to sustainability, transparency, and social responsibility.

This recognition affirms a long-term vision centered on artistic excellence, environmental stewardship, and support for creative communities—values reflected both in the development of new products and in the brand’s active involvement in cultural initiatives.

At Art Madrid’26, Liquitex continues to champion contemporary creativity, accompanying artists in their exploration of new visual languages and reaffirming that art, when equipped with the right tools, knows no boundaries. Because imagining is always the first step toward transforming reality.



ABOUT LIQUITEX

The world-leading professional acrylic brand Liquitex joins Art Madrid’26 as a sponsor, reinforcing its mission to empower artists and support contemporary creation through Espacio Nebrija.

At the 21st edition of the fair, the brand reaffirms its purpose of helping individuals connect with their creative energy, encouraging them to imagine and tell stories through art. Liquitex, the American brand recently awarded B Corp Certification, celebrates an achievement that not only welcomes it into a global community of purpose-driven companies but also reinforces its long-standing commitments.

These commitments encompass artistic excellence, sustainability, social responsibility through engagement with artists, employees, and local communities, and transparency within its business model. Liquitex remains dedicated to continuous innovation and product development, striving to serve as a force for positive change in society and for the environment—leaving a more meaningful and responsible legacy for the future.