The Arcadia Spider (2017-06-22) by Sarah GinnMuseum of Engineering Innovation
As the clock strikes midnight on each night of the Glastonbury Festival, those who make it to the Arcadia stage are treated to a spectacular show.
The Arcadia Spider (2017-06-22) by ShotawayMuseum of Engineering Innovation
In front of their eyes, a 15-metre-high, 50 tonne, mechanical, fire-breathing ‘alien’ spider hosts a DJ in its thorax, shooting out lasers and sparks while smaller metal spiders crawl overhead.
The Arcadia Spider (2017-06-22) by Sarah GinnMuseum of Engineering Innovation
In the middle of the dark field, flame-throwers, cannons and lasers operate in time with ground-shaking music, while sporadic blasts of heat produce shockwaves so powerful that they almost knock you over.
The Arcadia Spider (2014-06-28) by Ben DaureMuseum of Engineering Innovation
The Spider is not just an impressive spectacle; it is a unique example of engineering that is built almost completely from recycled material, mainly found in scrapyards – at the 2017 festival over 90% of it was constructed from recycled material.
The Arcadia Spider (2014-06-28) by Ben DaureMuseum of Engineering Innovation
A form of the Arcadia stage first appeared at Glastonbury in 2007. Creators Pip Rush and Bertie Cole combined their love for engineering and design with their enthusiasm for partying and dancing.
Bertie Cole, Founder and Technical Director
Bertie talks about the importance of imagination and shared experiences
The Arcadia Spider (2017-06-22) by Luke TaylorMuseum of Engineering Innovation
Their original idea was for a 360-degree show that thousands could experience, with performers and animatronics moving over people’s heads.
The Arcadia Spider (2015-06-26) by Ben DaureMuseum of Engineering Innovation
Working with repurposed materials generated unexpected challenges, some of which helped shape an evolving creative vision.
Being unable to design a stage without first finding the materials to create it meant that the team had to work around the very specific shapes they managed to find in junkyards.
The Arcadia Spider (2017-06-22) by ShotawayMuseum of Engineering Innovation
The familiar Spider stage debuted in 2010 after three scanning units from HM Customs and Excise security trucks were attached as legs to the first version.
The Arcadia Spider (2017-06-22) by Ben DaureMuseum of Engineering Innovation
In 2012, spy plane engines were added as eyes. Since then, lighting and special effects, including nine flame cannons and six lasers, have been used to further enhance the experience.
The Arcadia Spider (2017-06-22) by ShotawayMuseum of Engineering Innovation
The Spider consists of a central body that includes the DJ booth and upper legs, which are made from helicopter tails.
The Arcadia Spider (2017-06-22) by Sarah GinnMuseum of Engineering Innovation
The three large lower legs are fixed to the body with a pivoting joint. Once these are connected, the team attaches a crane to each one, lifting the entire structure up evenly and allowing the legs to pivot as it rises.
The Arcadia Spider (2017-06-22) by Ben DaureMuseum of Engineering Innovation
The stage hosts 50,000 people, each experiencing the same show from whatever angle and whether they are in the crowd.
Performers are suspended from three hydraulic manipulator arms on the top of the structure.
The Arcadia Spider (2017-06-22) by LukonicMuseum of Engineering Innovation
They are hoisted up and down, hang freely, and spin at high speed from the ‘claws’, made from log grabbers, at the end of the arms.
Each of the three arms is controlled by an operator, with every movement in sync with the show’s choreography
The Arcadia Spider (2017-06-22) by ShotawayMuseum of Engineering Innovation
A team of riggers execute a bespoke series of sequences to coordinate human performers with the machine.
Meanwhile, three smaller, lightweight spiders, the size of a car, crawl above the crowd on zip wires with a realistically modelled mechanical simulation of spider movement.
The Arcadia Spider (2017-06-22) by Sarah GinnMuseum of Engineering Innovation
The Spider has performed in the US, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea and Croatia. Arcadia has also held its own major event in the UK and the team is always developing new ideas and prototypes.
Arcadia - The Spider SpiritMuseum of Engineering Innovation
Whatever comes next, it is certain that it will continue to intrigue and fascinate audiences in the UK and beyond.
