Toulouse Becomes a Labyrinth for La Machine’s Giant Spider and Minotaur

Alan Taylor
Nov 5, 2018
14 Photos
In Focus

For the first four days of November, the streets of Toulouse, France, were transformed into a performance space for the massive robotic puppets Ariane and Asterion. The giant spider and 50-ton Minotaur were featured in the French street-theater company La Machine’s multiday show Le Gardien du Temple. Live music accompanied the giants as La Machine performers guided them through the “labyrinth” formed by the streets of Toulouse. Here, from the Agence France-Presse photographer Eric Cabanis, a few shots of the show and some of the more than 600,000 audience members.

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Asterion, a giant Minotaur, performs in the streets of Toulouse as part of the French street-theater company La Machine's show Le Gardien du Temple ("The Guardian of the Temple") on November 2, 2018. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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On November 1, 2018, during the show Le Gardien du Temple, Ariane, a giant animated spider, moves from the roof of the Hôtel-Dieu in Toulouse, France. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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Ariane rises from the roof of the Hôtel-Dieu in Toulouse on November 1, 2018. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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Ariane descends to street level on November 1, 2018, during the show. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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Musicians perform as they parade ahead of Ariane in Toulouse's city center on November 2, 2018. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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Ariane makes its way through Toulouse's city center on November 2, 2018. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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Followed by a crowd, Ariane arrives at the Place du Capitole square on November 2, 2018. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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Ariane rears up before a crowd at the Place du Capitole square in Toulouse on November 2, 2018. The Minotaur Asterion is visible in the background. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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Asterion, a giant Minotaur, performs in the Place du Capitole square as part of the French street-theater company La Machine's Le Gardien du Temple on November 2, 2018. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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Asterion moves past the crowd in the Place du Capitole square on November 2, 2018. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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Onlookers watch from balconies as Asterion passes in Toulouse's city center on November 2, 2018. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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A member of La Machine operates the head of Asterion in the streets of Toulouse on November 2, 2018. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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A full view of the La Machine performers maneuvering Asterion out of the Place du Capitole square on November 2, 2018. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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Asterion leans down toward the crowd during a performance of Le Gardien du Temple on November 2, 2018, in Toulouse's city center. #

Eric Cabanis / AFP / Getty

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