Welcome to the mechatronic world of MECANIQUE VIVANTE, where chickens play the piano, chainsaws fly, the cement mixers are orchestral and the Sirens symphonic...
 
Mechanical invention at its most spectacular
MECANIQUE VIVANTE - THE COMPANY
 
Nestled in the Cevennes mountains in the south of France, Mécanique Vivante has been poised between the worlds of artistic invention and technological innovation for over 30 years. Amongst their flagship projects, the Musical Siren, a brand new musical instrument, developed from the humble air raid siren. This madcap project bridges 19th century invention and 21st century technology, and has resulted in the creation of a unique, seven-piece Siren Orchestra.
 
THE SIRENS' SONG, as this project is known, is unique, and as such is supported by the French Ministry of Culture, the regional & county councils and has received EU funding.
 
The only one of its kind, the Siren Orchestra travels the world, performing in environments that are as varied as they are surprising, bringing its unique voice and harmonic texture to new audiences.

 FRANZ CLOCHARD - MUSICIAN & INVENTOR

At a time when traditional circus was in the doldrums, Archaos, the French punk circus, arrived like a breath of foul air and transformed circus for ever. Franz Clochard co-founded Archaos in 1985. Not content to sit back on his famous ascending chainsaw and motorbike, Franz invited jazz and sportsmen into this sensational, metal, ultra-violet universe. ‘The Incredible Chainsaw Circus’, as the British press called it, played to great acclaim in London and Paris.
 
Alternative circus was born.
 
Constantly looking to innovate and create, Franz Clochard founded Mécanique Vivante in 1989 to synthesise his two great passions: music and mechanics. Over the years he has created a hybrid, artistic universe with humour and a certain knack of transmuting everyday objects to new, unfamiliar purposes.
 
INVENTIONS, INSTALLATIONS & SHOWS
 
To go where the hand of man has never set foot is Mécanique Vivante‘s motto. Creating made-to-measure shows for individual sites in close collaboration with the organiser is our stock-in-trade.
 
The evolution of the Siren Orchestra has gone hand-in-hand with set design and the construction of staging devices which allow the company to set up, in perfect autonomy, in industrial, urban and natural landscapes all around the world.
 
Cavalcading through the town mounted on its locomotives, hoisted at the top of boat masts to celebrate major events, installed around the public in parks and gardens for a musical siesta, suspended in concerts halls & theatres, Mécanique Vivante creates site- and event-specific installations with its unique orchestra, its virtuoso soloists and dramatic, theatrical lighting.
 
The company applies its experience, its stagecraft, and its wonderful world of invention to create unforgettable and exceptional events in the public space.
 

 

Franz Clochard & his Flying Chainsaw

Street Harmonics at Anduze, August 2020

This show is COVID-friendly...

The Sirens' Song at Helsingor harbour  (DK)

Agenda 2023


Les Nuées Ardentes - Clermont Ferrand FR

June 17th & 18th

Le Bras de Fer – Mechanical Arm Wrestler - Mind over muscles!


Les Eurockéenes - Belfort, FR

June 29th to July 3rd

The Ace Bar


Deventer Op Stelten - NL

July 7th & 8th

The Sirens' Song - Carte blanche with musical composition for Sirens & Church Bells


Sziget Festival - Budapest, HU

August 9 th to 14th

Street Harmonics


Spancirfest - Varadzin, HR

August 18th to 20th

Street Harmonics and Musical Encounters


Cultura Nova - Heerlen NL

August 25th & 26th

The Sirens' Song - Carte blanche with musical composition for Sirens & Singers