Beware the machines

June 12, 2008 3:24 AM

Once home to the Naval Shipyards, L'Ile de Nantes now houses the workshop of Les Machines de l'Ile. The 12m high Elephant made its debut last year (although a predecessor was spotted 3 years ago) and is the first of 3 major projects to be undertaken.

Also planned is a 25m high carousel featuring 27 giant moving marine creatures (model of the squid) and a 28m high Heron Tree, the first branches of which have already been built.

And whilst Paris has her Colonnes de Buren, not to be outdone Nantes has her own Anneaux de Buren.

posted by jontyjago (8 comments total)

Goodness.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:27 AM on June 12

Gracious.
posted by Dizzy at 3:38 AM on June 12

Me.
posted by YouRebelScum at 4:51 AM on June 12

I hope they're working on the time machine next, but, y'know, after they finish the carousel.
posted by HE Amb. T. S. L. DuVal at 6:05 AM on June 12

although a predecessor was spotted 3 years ago...

Other previous MeFi threads regarding Royal de Luxe, the 'Sultan's Elephant', etc. -- 1, 2, 3.
posted by ericb at 6:52 AM on June 12

That elephant cries out to be used in a steampunk filmification of the Punic Wars.
posted by protorp at 8:15 AM on June 12

I want to ride in that elephant. I want sit on the balcony. I want to wear a white three piece suit and a hat. I want a gin and tonic. I want to putter along at a quarter kilometer per hour and never travel any other way.
posted by The Man from Lardfork at 10:04 AM on June 12 [2 favorites]

Between this and the fancy apartment, I may as well just give up & go insane.
posted by aramaic at 1:58 PM on June 12