La Halle de La Machine — Mechanical Magic Meets Aerial Dance
July 18 2023
Rope access and confined space
La Halle de La Machine is an exposition and performance hall in Toulouse that houses colossal machines, brought to life by mechanics. Here, work at height and rope access techniques are used in an extraordinary way to take viewers on an artistic journey unlike any other. The operators bring the machines to life, telling stories and emoting through their movement.
The Art of Work at Height: Daily Life as a Machinist at la Halle de la Machine
The people breathing life into these machines are called machinists, and they're part of the La Machine company. Born from collaboration among artists, mechanics, and set designers, this theater company animates giant structures in an incredible mechanical ballet. To operate these machines, which are eight to ten times their size, they have to get as high and as close to them as possible, performing movements that resemble a dance rather than a simple mechanical operation. Their job requires perfect mastery of work-at-height techniques and skill that is an integral part of the history of these machines. Height and verticality are part of their daily lives, and they spend most of their time wearing harnesses and lanyards, or moving about on ropes. Their work is an ever-evolving theatrical spectacle, a constant creative challenge — one whose aerial nature exposes it to potential risk. The team trusts Petzl gear to help them maximize safety and comfort throughout the workday.