- Machines of the Isle of Nantes
The Machines of the Isle of Nantes (Les Machines de l'île) is an artistic, tourist and cultural project based in
Nantes ,France .Background
The project of Machines de l'île in
Nantes aims to promote city's image and tries to build an identity as a creative metropole of dream and of fantasy.The Concept
In the warehouses of the former shipyards in
Nantes , the Machines of the Isle is created by two artists,François Delarozière and Pierre Orefice, visualising a travel-through-time world at the crossroads of the "imaginary worlds" ofJules Verne and the mechanical universe ofLeonardo da Vinci .The Site
Since 1st July, 2007, the site is open to the public.
Three major Machines projects include :
*the Great Elephant (2007)
*the Marine Worlds Carrousel (Spring 2010 [ [http://www.presseocean.fr/Du-sable-dans-les-rouages-du-carrousel-des-Mondes-marins/re/machines-ile-nantes_detail/actu_38070-666753------_actu.html Du sable dans les rouages du carrousel des Mondes marins] PresseOcean 18 July 08 fr] )
*the Heron Tree (2014)The Great Elephant
The mechanical elephant is 12 meters high and 8 meters wide, made from 45 tons of wood and steel. It can take up to 49 passengers for a 45-minute walk. It is a replica of
The Sultan's Elephant which toured the world from 2005 to 2007.The Marine Worlds Carrousel
The Marine Worlds Merry-Go-Round is a carrousel of 27 undersea creatures, such as manta ray, reverse-propelling squid, pirate fish, crab larva, etc.
The Heron Tree
The Heron Tree is a steel structure of 45 meters in diameter and 28 meters in height, topped with two herons. The project plans to allow visitors to climb either onto the back or onto the wings of the birds for a circular flight over the hanging gardens of the tree.
* Photo Gallery: (Click to enlarge photos)
The Machine Gallery
This is an exhibition place to illustrate the background story of the machines. Some visitors could be invited to control marine animals or the European Flight Test Centre, etc.
The entire process of the construction is on display by sketches, models and films. In July 2008, three new machines are scheduled to be added into the gallery.
The Workshop
This is the site of fabrication for people to observe the ongoing buiding process. Today, the construction of the Marine Worlds occupies one part of the workshop.
External links
* [http://www.lesmachines-nantes.fr/english The Machines of the Isle of Nantes - Official website] en
* [http://www.youtube.com/ncepweb The Machines de l'Ile]YouTube channelReferences
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