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Forget the Loch Ness monster, Liverpool is home to a new mythical creature. Korean artist Choe U-Ram has created an animatronic sculpture based on oars, rudders, ship motors and other nautical devices. Controlled by custom software via 12-channel DMX, the 2-ton creature expands and contacts like tidal forces.

The Opertus Lunula Umbra (Hidden Shadow of Moon), is the scientific name that Choe has given to his fictitious creature which is part of the fifth Liverpool Biennale with the theme "Made Up" that encourages artists to delve into the realm of make-believe for their inspiration.

Co-commissioned by Liverpool Biennial International 2008 and FACT, the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology, the piece is exhibited in FACT's atrium courtesy of Art Station, Poznan, Poland and bitforms gallery in NYC.

View more images and read the artist's statement after the jump.

Recently, scientists studying the effects of moonlight on humans have made significant progress towards their research due to a discovery of a new phenomenon. Rather than being absorbed, when light from the atmosphere hits the moon it radiates off of the moon's surface and travels to earth. This particular atmospheric reflection from the moon has been observed to have strange effects on humans, often amplifying their ability to fantasise and blurring boundaries between what is real and what is imagined.

Humans are especially susceptible to this energy, most noticeably during the full moon, in harbour and coastal cities more than inland cities. Thus it has been determined that populated areas surrounding water are affected by this phenomena as they receive the radiated energy twofold: directly from the moon and from light reflecting off nearby water. Furthermore, it is reported that in areas where fantasies are numerous and focused, there have been occasions when a collective fantasy is physically actualised.

The Opertus Lunula Umbra, discovered in Liverpool in 2008, was first observed by a child looking at the reflected moon on the water at Albert Dock. The U.R.A.M. (United Research of Anima Machine), an international joint research institute for mechanical beings, has discovered that the basis of this life-form comprised of nautical devices, ship motors, oars and rudders culled from boats - both modern and sunken boats of centuries past. This new species was defined early on as an 'Anima Machine' and attempts are being made by U.R.A.M. to categorize species of the Opertus Lunula Umbra due to its variety in size and shape. Local biologists expect the figure to be observed again near its original discovery point at Albert Dock when lunar conditions are perfect, with the wind at approximately three knots along the surface of the water. U.R.A.M., however, posits that smaller species of Opertus Lunula Umbra can manifest in ponds, rain puddles, or even in teacups if the moonlight and wind conditions are right.

The Opertus Lunula Umbra on view at FACT is an exact model based on the creature discovered at the Albert Dock. It is an example of the physical manifestations of fantasies evoked by lunar energy, and is the biggest and most evolved currently found.