On October 21, 2023, something truly amazing happened in the skies over New York. Thousands of people gathered in Central Park to witness a spectacular light show put on by 1,000 illuminated drones.
The event, called “Franchise Freedom,” was a mesmerizing display of these autonomous machines dancing in the night sky. They moved in perfect harmony, creating breathtaking patterns. The entire show was set to the beautiful music of Dutch composer and pianist Joep Beving.
The masterminds behind this dazzling show are Dutch artists Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta. They designed custom software for the drones, allowing them to mimic the mesmerizing flight patterns of starlings, which are small birds known for their incredible group flights.
The artistry of “Franchise Freedom” has been showcased at various locations, including NASA. However, this New York performance was on a grander scale than any before, involving 1,000 drones, while previous displays used around 300.
For those who remember, the show was the largest public artwork project in Central Park since “The Gates” back in 2005. “The Gates” involved thousands of saffron-colored fabric “gates” lining the park’s pathways.
This fantastic drone show was undoubtedly a night to remember, with thousands of New Yorkers and visitors alike gazing in wonder at the stunning display in the skies above Central Park.
