The fire-breathing dragon-horse sparking wonder in a city near you | Frédette Lampre - TED Talks Daily

Meet the Giant Mechanical Animals Taking Over Cities

A French art group builds giant, moving animal machines to put on incredible free shows that change how people see their own cities.

More Than Just Robots: These aren't just cool machines; they're giant puppets that tell stories and bring art to the streets for everyone to see, turning the whole city into a stage.
It Takes a Team: Creating one of these giants takes about two years and a huge team of over 100 people, from welders and engineers to artists and puppeteers who bring it to life.
Changing a City's Vibe: By putting on these huge, free shows, cities can change their reputation, bring in tons of visitors, and help local businesses make more money.
Fun Facts & Key Numbers:
- Fact: It takes a team of about 18 people to operate just one giant machine at the same time.
- Fact: A show in Ottawa, Canada, brought 700,000 people to the streets to watch.
- Fact: It takes around 2 years to build one of these creatures from the first drawing to the final show.

Quote: "> These machine have no practical function at all. They tell stories for city and their citizen, and they bring all communities together to create perhaps a new common ground."
- What it Means: These machines don't do anything useful like a car or a crane. Their only job is to be a piece of art that tells a story and gives everyone in the city, no matter who they are, a shared experience to talk about.
- Why it Matters: This shows their goal isn't just about building cool tech. It's about using art to connect people and make a city feel more like a community.
Quote: "> In La Machine, we don't really use artificial intelligence, but we definitely use artistic intelligence to reimagine humanity."
- What it Means: They're not focused on making smart computers or AI. Instead, they use human creativity, imagination, and art (what they call "artistic intelligence") to create amazing experiences that make us think about our world in a new way.
- Why it Matters: This is the core belief of the whole project. It celebrates human creativity and emotion over pure technology.

First, the author argues that these machines make art accessible to everyone. The shows are free and happen right on the street, so you don't need a ticket or have to go to a stuffy museum. Anyone can be part of it.
Next, they provide evidence that the shows transform familiar places. Seeing a giant mechanical spider on a famous building or a Minotaur sleeping in front of City Hall makes you see your everyday surroundings in a magical, new light.
Finally, they point out that these events create a powerful shared experience. When hundreds of thousands of people gather to watch a giant fire-breathing dragon, it creates a special memory for the whole city and gives everyone something to talk about.

Q: How do they actually make the giant machines move?
- A: The text says they have a metal skeleton with hydraulic (powered by liquid) and electrical systems inside. A team of about 18 operators uses joysticks and even wearable "exoskeletons" to control different parts like the arms, legs, and head, all coordinated by a director.
Q: Why would a city pay for one of these giant puppets if the show is free?
- A: The text explains that it's a great deal for the city. These shows improve the city's image (like making Ottawa seem less "boring"), attract tons of tourists, help local shops and restaurants make money, and get the city a lot of free, positive publicity all over the world.
Q: Are the machines just for one-time shows?
- A: The text says it can be both. Some are for temporary street performances, like a giant spider that appeared in Liverpool. But others become permanent attractions, like the Sea Dragon in Calais, which is now the new symbol of the city, or the Great Elephant in Nantes, which gives rides every day.

Why You Should Care: This shows how art doesn't have to be stuck in a frame in a museum. It can be huge, loud, and right in the middle of your city, using engineering and creativity to bring people together. It’s a reminder that technology can be used for more than just apps and video games—it can be used to create real-life magic.
Learn More: To see these incredible machines in action, search on YouTube for "La Machine Nantes" or "Long Ma Dragon Horse Ottawa." The videos are amazing and show you just how massive and life-like these creatures really are.