Toulouse. 8 things to know about Long Ma the new creature that joined the Machine Hall
Through Lucie Fraisse
Published on
A new creature has appeared at the Halle de la Machine, in Toulouse. Long Ma the dragon horse is available from February 19, 2022. Here are eight things to know about this new company of the Minotaur.
#1. It’s a female
And yes ! Long Ma the dragon horse is actually a Dragon mare. “Long Ma is a female, we care a lot about it”, insists Francois Delarozierecreator son.
#2. It is a rich Chinese patron who financed it
Long Ma is a diplomatic creature. The dragonne mare was indeed created to celebrate the 50and anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between China and France. It is a wealthy Chinese patron who made his fortune in luxury real estate who financed it. Long Ma made her first appearance at beijingFr spinein 2014.
#3. 45 people for its construction
45 craftsmen participated in the construction of Long Ma, with more than thirty different trades. “We built it in eight months, whereas it usually takes between 18 and 24 months for such a machine,” explains François Delarozière. We worked day and night! UN Antonov 124 was specially chartered for the carrier from Nantes, where she was built, to Beijing.
#4. An extraordinary size
She has long eyelashes but also a solid stature. 11 meters high, 17.7 meters long and 5.5 meters wide. It weighs 44 tons. Long ma is made of steel, wood, blown glass, gold leaf, canvas and horsehair.
#5. She has a nice range of moves
Long Ma can spit flames, smoke, water in different forms. She can also trot, gallop, rear up, lie down, blink, sway her neck, inflate her lungs, admit her wings… It takes fifteen stagehands to move her for a show, only three when it comes to taking walks on his back.
“We are interested in movement, in how it can create emotion.”
#6. She will be in Toulouse until May 8
From February 19, 2022, the public will be able to discover Long Ma at Toulouse. The dragon mare will initially be inside the Halle de la machine where the machinists will wake her up several times a day. an exhibition “Spirit of the Dragon Horse” which traces its construction and its various shows around the world will also be visible. It will leave the Halle de la machine on April 16…
#seven. She is going to be the heroine of a big show in Toulouse
It’s not the return of the machines to the city center like whenAsterion the Minotaur and Ariadne the spider had performed in the streets of the Pink City in 2018. But the spectacle will be no less grandiose. On April 16 and 17, go to the giants’ track near the Halle de la machine for a great free show with Long Ma and a giant spider.
“The show will be held between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., explains François Delarozière. There will be three actions per day, the show is inspired by a Chinese myth. »
#8. She’ll walk visitors, like the Minotaur
After the show on April 16 and 17 is over, Long Ma stays outside. A temple will be installed on its back and, like the Minotaur, it will be able to transport visitors on its back. There will therefore be a crossover of giants! The prices for these dragon horse trips are between 5 and 9.50 euros. These walks will be possible until his departure from Toulouse on May 8.
Practical information :
More details on the Halle de la machine site.
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