Artists use drones and light to rebuild Colosseum and other historic buildings

By Dean Murray via SWNS

An innovative scheme sees historic buildings made complete - using drones.

Dutch artistic duo DRIFT has drafted ideas on how to make whole structures such as Barcelona's Sagrada Família and the Colosseum in Rome.

They have also visualized a concept skyscraper in Chicago, which offers the opportunity to see how buildings would impact a skyline.

Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta, who founded DRIFT in 2007, say they have "the largest hi tech drone fleet in the world at our disposal."

They have showcased their "experiential sculptures, installations and performances" around the world, including at Art Basel Miami.

"I came up with the idea after brainstorming with my friend Bjarke Ingels from BIG years ago when we first were experimenting with our drones for our artwork Franchise Freedom about how to visualize upcoming architectural projects," Ralph said.

"When the Notre Dame burned we started to think of rebuilding it with light. To show the world how old gone architectural masterpieces might have looked in the past.

"For us, it makes sense that in this fast paced world to shine a light on these masterpieces. These human achievements deserve all the attention they can get,

"Built over generations with forgotten crafts they teach us a patience we desperately need to rediscover as a society.

"To finish them with light emphasizes the potential positive power of our hi tech developments in relationship to the slow but beautiful building methods of the past."

A spokesperson for DRIFT says "We are currently working on a first building with an architect, but there is no exact date when this will be completed."

"A large building can change the landscape of a city dramatically. We can help visualize the impact of how a new structure can enrich a cityscape or visualize how a society in the past might have reflected on it," Ralph said.

"It can help to show a local community how their city will look. Or help celebrate the moment a structure goes up and show the finished end goal."

In collaboration with the company Drone Stories and Nova Skystories, DRIFT say they have used their drone technology since 2020 to reimagine the future of architecture.

"We have started a company next to our art practice to help creatives to explore these ideas," Ralph said.

Architect Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Família began construction in 1882, but currently is the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world.