‘The transformation of the first dragonfly marks the dawn of a new season’
Arcadia kicks off a whole new chapter at Glastonbury with their boldest installation yet. The Dragonfly, a giant biomechanical creature, will awaken at the heart of an evolved geometric space, exploring ideas around renewal, our relationship with technology and how we adapt to a changing climate.
Built from an ex-military Royal Navy helicopter, The Dragonfly repurposes a weapon of destruction into a unifying symbol. As conflicts flare around the world, the transformational nature of the sculpture is a monument to hope.
The transformation of the first dragonfly to mark the dawn of a new season resonates through cultures, none older than the Aboriginal First Nations of Australia. Each night, Arcadia and representatives of the Wadjuk Noongar nation will perform Warraloo, a spectacular ceremony that sees The Dragonfly burst into life. It celebrates possibility in epic style, inviting reflection on a changing climate and ways to navigate it through cooperation and the creative use of technology.
Roaming both the Arcadia field and the wider festival will be the dragonfly’s mobile, amphibious cousin – the Bug. Built from submarine moulds, the Bug comes alive on six wheels of self contained sculpture, spreading the carnival spirit with its own eclectic lineup and a custom soundsystem hand built by Minirigs.
2024 also sees a whole new daytime dimension to Arcadia’s world – an interactive kids area open to families. The Alchemists’ Playground is a collaboration with constructive play specialists Woodland Tribe – a forge of ideas, workshops and creative adventure. Drawing on key Arcadia elements like repurposing, engineering, design and performance, children of all ages will learn to weld recycled metal creations, try out circus skills and build their own adventure playground. Expect a riot of imagination and some epic pieces of Arcadia hardware to get creative with, all culminating in a massive party on Saturday with Junior Jungle.
A new installation, a new generation and new frontiers of innovation – 2024 is a year of renewal.
There are strobes installed around the structure and arena which will be strobing frequently whilst the stage is live.
Stage live times are:
Fri 28th – 22:00 – 03:00
Sat 29th – 21:00 – 03:00
Sun 30th – 20:00 – 02:30
