studio drift launches 'franchise freedom' drone art performance at NASA's rocket garden

on july 16, 1969, NASA launched apollo 11 to the moon, and humans soon walked on another world for the first time in history. 50 years after this monumental achievement, studio drift was invited by the aldrin family foundation to commemorate this historical moment at the kennedy space center’s rocket garden with a special performance of ‘franchise freedom’.

previously taking flight in the skies of amsterdam, miami, and the ‘playa’ at burning man, ‘franchise freedom’ is a performative artwork that sees an autonomously-flying swarm of drones enact a hypnotic display of technological choreography. after more than 10 years of research into the natural swarm behavior of starling birds, studio drift created a biological algorithm that brings technological innovation to life.

image © ossip van duivenbode

on july 16, 2019, studio drift sent 300 luminous intel shooting star drones to perform above NASA’s rocket garden at the kennedy space center. this unique edition of ‘franchise freedom’ was accompanied by a live music performance from duran duran. ‘the apollo 11 moon landing exemplifies what technology can do for humanity,’ says ralph nauta, co-founder of studio drift. ‘let’s take this as an example of what amazing possibilities we have if we put our minds together. it is our responsibility to use technology to build a sustainable future.’ the performance paid tribute to the iconic shifts in technology throughout history that have positively shaped the evolution of humankind.

image © ossip van duivenbode

founded by lonneke gordijn and ralph nauta, studio drift combines art and technology to transcend traditional boundaries and open up conversations worldwide, having been longtime collaborators with scientists, engineers and leading tech companies. ‘we’re honored to partner with studio drift to bring intel drone technology to not only an amazing performance by duran duran, but to this celebration of such a momentous and iconic moment in human history,’ said natalie cheung, general manager of drone light shows at intel.

image © ossip van duivenbode

while NASA’s historic moon landing changed humanity’s perspective of our role within the universe, ‘franchise freedom’ seeks to continue to inspire the same by merging technology with nature. the studio concludes, ‘whether we’re exploring the moon, the sky or anywhere else it all ends up being about improving life here on earth.’

image © ossip van duivenbode