Watch: Dutch artist Theo Jansen's 'strandbeest' creations

The locals of Scheveningen in The Hague have become accustomed to the sight.

They are the works of 75-year-old Dutch artist Theo Jansen. He's been making the kinetic sculptures for more than 30 years, and he's managed to harness the wind to make his sculptures walk on their own.

Jansen calls his PVC creations 'Strandbeest', which is a Dutch word meaning 'beach animal'.

He describes the creatures as looking like walking skeletons, with a distinct creaking sound.

"If you haven't seen one before, they look quite boney, I would say," he told the BBC.

Every spring since 1990, Jansen has brought a new beast to the beach.

During the Dutch summer, the artist spends his time experimenting with new forms and shapes, in the hopes of making the creatures entirely sustainable.

"In the end I want to have an animal that survives on its own, so by the time I leave the planet, these animals can live as a new specimen," Jansen told the BBC.

"The strange thing about these beasts is that they have the same way of walking like real animals. I didn't study real animals. I just try to figure out what is mechanically the best way to walk."

Originally, the sculptures were designed to counter the effects of beach erosion, as the sea around Holland's beaches continues to rise.

Powered by the wind, the sculptures would walk the length of the beach throwing sand back onto the dunes.

Jansen is now investigating ways to make the sculptures entirely sustainable and able to do their work without human oversight.

"In the end, I want to have an animal which survives on its own," Jansen said.

"So by the time I will leave the planet that these animals can live as a new specimen."