ISTRES: “THE DREAM OF ICARUS”, A SHOW AT THE HEART OF AVIATION
A few days before starting this new year, Allumee was able to close 2023 in style by marking the festivities in the heart of the banks of the Olivier pond in the charming town of Istres located in the Bouches du Rhône. Our team orchestrated a light drone show titled "Icarus's Dream".
This poetic and narrative show transported the audience into the fascinating world of two legendary French aviators, Jacqueline Auriol and Hélène Boucher.
Istres: The cradle of aeronautics
Beyond the artistic brilliance of the show, Allumee wished to pay tribute to the prestigious past of the city of Istres as cradle of aeronauticsThis town proudly houses the largest track in Europe, testifying to his ultimate role in the development of aviation in France.
Since the First World War, Istres has occupied a strategic position as a military air base. Thus, a training place for pilots and a parking lot for fighter jets. the French Air Force, this city has witnessed the dynamic evolution of aviation over the decades.
The heroines of the sky: Jacqueline Auriol and Hélène Boucher
"Icarus's Dream" dives into the heart of the exploits of two aviation pioneers, Jacqueline Auriol and Hélène Boucher. Indeed, these intrepid women defied the conventions of the time, becoming among the first female test pilots to fly in a domain once reserved for men. This drone show traces their lives, their challenges and their successes, capturing the daring spirit that marked the beginning of a new era.
During the 20th century, both of them marked their time with exploits never before achieved by a woman; first European to break the legendary “sound barrier” for Jacqueline Auriol and several women's world speed records for Hélène Boucher. The latter died in an accident during a training flight at only 26 years old.
"Icarus's Dream": A poetic and narrative show
The sky of Istres has been transformed into a living canvas with the original creation of Allumee. No less than 200 drones created luminous tableaux, visually revealing the history of aviation and the women who shaped it. But the show wasn't limited to that.
Of the pyrotechnic effects lit up the night, and a gigantic 9-meter-long airship flew over the skies, bringing this spectacular dimension, enough to add even more magic to the eyes of our spectators. The latter symbolized not only the glorious past of aviation, but also the constant aspiration to push the limits, to rise ever higher.
A rich history illustrated through our lights
The drones, coordinated with exceptional precision, traced luminous arabesques across the starry sky. Each drone flight told a part of the history of the city of Istres, from its early days as a military airbase to its current place as a jewel of European aeronautics.
Thus, the lights crossed, mixed, and formed silhouettes evoking the birth of aviation with the faces of those remarkable women we talked about above, airplanes, stars and much more.
The pyrotechnic symphony
Accompanying the celestial dances of the drones, a pyrotechnic symphony lit up the sky. Multiple fireworks The brightly colored lights burst forth in perfect synchronization, adding an explosion of light and color to the story told on this magical night.
In this way, each explosion seemed to be a celebration, a tribute to the challenges overcome and the horizons conquered. A big thank you to BGMA PYRO for their trust.
