# Arcadia Spectacular

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{{Short description|British performance art collective}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2024}}
[[File:Audio Bullys performing at Bestival 2010.jpg|thumb|The Arcadia Spider at [Bestival](/source/Bestival) in 2010]]
'''Arcadia Spectacular''', known colloquially as '''Arcadia''', is a performance art collective that repurposes ex-military machinery, and other industrial components, into large scale high-capacity performance installations and [dance music](/source/Electronic_dance_music) stages.

The group is often associated with [Glastonbury Festival](/source/Glastonbury_Festival) where they have had a permanent place since 2014, and hosted some of the biggest electronic artists and [DJs](/source/Disc_jockey) including [Fatboy Slim](/source/Fatboy_Slim), [Calvin Harris](/source/Calvin_Harris), [Carl Cox](/source/Carl_Cox), and [The Chemical Brothers](/source/The_Chemical_Brothers).<ref name="j883">{{cite web |last=Eede |first=Christian |date=2022-05-03 |title=Arcadia's spider stage to host Carl Cox, Calvin Harris, Nia Archives, more at Glastonbury |url=https://djmag.com/news/arcadias-spider-stage-host-carl-cox-calvin-harris-nia-archives-more-glastonbury |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=DJ Mag}}</ref> Their installations have toured internationally, including previous appearances at [Boomtown](/source/Boomtown_(festival)), [Bestival](/source/Bestival), and [Ultra Music Festival](/source/Ultra_Music_Festival).

==History==
The group was founded by Pip Rush who previously worked alongside his brother, artist [Joe Rush](/source/Joe_Rush), at the [Mutoid Waste Company](/source/Mutoid_Waste_Company) and Bert Cole, formerly master of the world's largest tent, the Valhalla.<ref>{{cite web|title=Glasto Earth Arcadia Interview|url=http://www.glastoearth.com/news/2009archive/arcadiareturntoturnuptheheat|access-date=2014-07-28|archive-date=2021-01-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122163348/http://www.glastoearth.com/news/2009archive/arcadiareturntoturnuptheheat|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kayam Tents - the Valhalla|url=http://kayam.com/range_valhalla.htm|access-date=2014-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012210146/http://kayam.com/range_valhalla.htm|archive-date=2013-10-12|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Their first collaboration, the ''Afterburner'', debuted at the [Glastonbury Festival](/source/Glastonbury_Festival) in 2007 after being built in a cowshed.<ref name="t160">{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Scott |date=2012-05-08 |title=Arcadia's Pip Rush Jansen and Bertie Cole talk to eFestivals |url=https://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/boomtown/2012/interview-arcadia.shtml |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=eFestivals}}</ref> Subsequent years of the festival saw the Afterburner's refinement until 2010 when three [HM Customs and Excise](/source/HM_Customs_and_Excise) scanning units were attached as legs, becoming the ''Spider''.<ref name="BBC - Et in Arcadia Ego">{{cite web |title=BBC - Et in Arcadia Ego |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/clips/p021vgb9|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140926002416/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/clips/p021vgb9|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2014}}</ref> This first incarnation of the Spider stage led to two more years of adjustments until they became two separate installations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nu Magazine - Arcadia Interview|url=http://www.numagazine.co.uk/post/59008064328/nu-meets-arcadia-we-met-up-with-pip-rush|access-date=2014-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224185316/http://www.numagazine.co.uk/post/59008064328/nu-meets-arcadia-we-met-up-with-pip-rush|archive-date=2014-12-24|url-status=dead}}</ref>  In 2012, the Spider became a permanent main stage at [Boomtown](/source/Boomtown_(festival)).<ref name="i840">{{cite web |date=2014-11-26 |title=BoomTown Fair to replace Arcadia with 'biggest ever' project |url=https://accessaa.co.uk/boomtown-fair-to-replace-arcadia-with-biggest-ever-project/ |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=Access All Areas}}</ref>

In 2014, Arcadia were given a permanent area at the [Glastonbury Festival](/source/Glastonbury_Festival),<ref name="Glastonbury">{{cite web |title=Glastonbury Festival {{ndash}} Arcadia |url=http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/arcadia/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011144655/http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/arcadia/ |archivedate=2014-10-11}}</ref> and exhibited at [Boomtown](/source/Boomtown_(festival)) for the last time.<ref name="i840" /> In 2014, The Afterburner was featured at [Rhythm & Vines](/source/Rhythm_%26_Vines), [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand),<ref name="m6702">{{cite web |date=2014-12-30 |title=R&V's fire-breathing show |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/rhythm-and-vines-fire-breathing-show/WWM3LGYEEUWH2HMC6CRPRXURXU/?c_id=1501119&objectid=11380369 |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=NZ Herald}}</ref> and the new "Resistance" area at [Ultra Music Festival](/source/Ultra_Music_Festival), [Miami](/source/Miami) in March 2015.<ref name="mnt-resistance">{{cite web|title=Ultra 2015's Resistance Stage Is the Festival's Best-Kept Secret|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/ultra-2015s-resistance-stage-is-the-festivals-best-kept-secret-7555342|website=Miami New Times|accessdate=25 March 2016}}</ref>

In September 2015, the Spider performed to 24,000 people over two nights in [Queen Square, Bristol](/source/Queen_Square%2C_Bristol), at a celebration of the city as [European Green Capital](/source/European_Green_Capital_Award) that year,<ref>{{cite news|title=BBC News - Fire spewing Spider is Bristol Show centerpiece|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-34149996}}</ref><ref name="i737">{{cite web |last=Canter |first=Alicia |date=2020-03-26 |title=Arcadia Spectacular hits Bristol – in pictures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2015/sep/06/arcadia-spectacular-hits-bristol-in-pictures |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=the Guardian}}</ref> where for the first time, the pyrotechnic flame system ran entirely on recycled [biofuel](/source/biofuel).<ref name="e543">{{cite web |date=2015-09-04 |title=Arcadia performers prepare for thousands in Bristol |url=https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2015-09-04/arcadia-performers-prepare-for-thousands-in-bristol |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=ITV News}}</ref>

In 2019, Arcadia launched Pangea at the [Glastonbury Festival](/source/Glastonbury_Festival),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jun/25/inside-glastonburys-hottest-attraction-a-140-tonne-fire-breathing-crane|title=The 140-tonne, fire-breathing crane: inside Glastonbury's hottest attraction|last=Jeffries|first=Stuart|date=2019-06-25|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-01-21|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> a new stage centred around a re-purposed 140 ton dock crane, previously installed at [Avonmouth Docks](/source/Avonmouth_Docks) in Bristol, to 'take over the sky' above audiences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iq-mag.net/2020/01/the-sky-is-not-the-limit-pip-rush-talks-arcadia-ambitions/|title=The sky is not the limit: Pip Rush talks Arcadia ambitions|date=2020-01-20|website=IQ Magazine|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref>

At the 2024 Glastonbury Festival, the mainstay Spider stage was replaced by a new ''Dragonfly'' stage, repurposed from a former [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy) helicopter that was previously deployed in the [Falklands War](/source/Falklands_War).<ref name="f402">{{cite web |last=Gunn |first=Charlotte |date=2024-07-02 |title=The story behind Arcadia’s mechanical dragonfly: a Falklands helicopter turned dance stage and Glastonbury’s newest addition |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/art/glastonbury-arcadia-dragonfly-interview |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=wallpaper.com}}</ref>

==Areas and performances==

=== Spider  ===
[[File:Arcadia (27348955303).jpg|thumb|The Spider stage at [Glastonbury 2016](/source/Glastonbury_Festival_2016).]]
{{Anchor|ArcadiaSpider}}The '''Arcadia Spider''' is a 360 degree structure built from recycled materials. Its 'legs' are [HM Customs and Excise](/source/HM_Customs_and_Excise) scanning units, its 'eyes' are spy plane engines, its 'claws' are log grabbers, its 'body' is built from helicopter tails, and its DJ booth from jet engine blades.<ref name="c401">{{cite web |date=2013-06-26 |title=Art Monsters at music festivals |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/10142814/Art-Monsters-at-music-festivals.html?frame=2590209 |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref> The DJ booth is suspended above the dancefloor.<ref name="x611">{{cite web |date=2012-08-12 |title=Arcadia laser-firing spider robot at Boomtown Fair festival 2012 at The Bowl, Matterley Estate, nr. Winchester, Hampshire with music, theatre, comedy and art, Thursday 9th until Sunday 12th August 2012 |url=https://www.urban75.org/festivals/boomtown-fair-2012-arcadia.html |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=Urban75 ezine featuring bulletin boards, football, politics, useless games, Brixton info, panoramas, photo galleries, direct action, protest, rave, drugs info and more.}}</ref> The Spider has several built in flame cannons able to shoot 50 foot flames,<ref name="k841">{{cite web |last=Bakare |first=Lanre |last2=Jonze |first2=Tim |last3=Iqbal |first3=Nosheen |last4=Parkinson |first4=Hannah Jane |last5=Hann |first5=Michael |last6=Andreasson |first6=Karin |last7=Canter |first7=Alicia |last8=Hall |first8=Matt |last9=Mokoena |first9=Tshepo |date=2014-07-01 |title=Glastonbury 2014: Guardian staff share their highlights |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/01/glastonbury-2014-guardian-staff-share-their-highlights |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=the Guardian |last10=Nicholson |first10=Rebecca}}</ref> and is rigged with lights and lasers across its 'body'. Its 'arms' fire jets of CO<sub>2</sub>, it is often given a 'skin' by video mapping and it is surrounded by a 360 degree sound field of PA speakers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mixmag - Story of the Spider|url=http://www.mixmag.net/videos/series/arcadia-the-story-of-the-spider|access-date=2014-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103011737/http://www.mixmag.net/videos/series/arcadia-the-story-of-the-spider|archive-date=2013-11-03|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Pangea ===
Pangea is a 360 degree hemispherical stage with a re-purposed 140 tonne dock crane at its heart.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-20 |title=The sky is not the limit: Pip Rush talks Arcadia ambitions |url=https://www.iq-mag.net/2020/01/the-sky-is-not-the-limit-pip-rush-talks-arcadia-ambitions/ |access-date=2020-01-21 |website=IQ Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== The Bug ===
The Bug is a 6 wheeled, amphibious stage built from submarine moulds and an Alvis Stalwart. The stage appeared at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Paralympics.<ref name="s993">{{cite web |date=2014-06-24 |title=Arcadia news.. New location at Glastonbury, Updated Line-Up, Stage Times and Explosions! |url=http://www.festivalsforall.com/article/arcadia-news-new-location-at-glastonbury-updated-line-up-stage-times-and-explosions |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=Festivals For All}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

==External links==
* [https://www.arcadiaspectacular.com Arcadia Spectacular website]

Category:Performance artist collectives

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Arcadia Spectacular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcadia_Spectacular) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcadia_Spectacular?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.