PNE dragon exhibit tipping the scales on fascination, fantasy
Whether you’re more familiar with Mulan’s pal Mushu or the Hungarian horntail that chased Harry Potter, you might want to be careful around these creatures.
The Lost World of Dragons is among a number of attractions being hosted at this year’s Pacific National Exhibition — but this one allows fairgoers to get up close and personal with the massive mythological creatures in almost real life.
“We’ve always been fascinated with dragons,” said CEO Troy Carlson of the inspiration for Stage Nine Exhibitions’ latest presentation.
“A lot of the content in the exhibit talks about the mythology of dragons and how in every culture around the world there is a sort of creature like a dragon — from the Asian culture to European culture, South American — lizards, snakelike creatures.”
Carlson’s company develops, builds and tours fantastical exhibitions that pull from popular culture. Their latest exhibit drew from various cultures and explores the fantasy behind dragons, bringing them to life through animatronics.
There are displays towering over fairgoers that will excite Game of Thrones or Harry Potter fans and dragon-inspired activity stations that will introduce little ones to one of the most popular fantasy creatures in pop culture.
Throughout the exhibit, there are displays that detail the stories and origin of each creature, alongside details about each dragon’s diet and whether they are, well, good or evil.
“It’s really interesting to see how, even going back thousands of years, there’s this mythology and we’re still celebrating it nowadays,” said Carlson.
“In books and movies and games and video games, there’s this kind of love we have for this creature, which, in terms of a physical creature, is all fantasy.”
One of the displays inside the exhibit shows a crate chained closed with a sign that warns those without protective wear to be careful. To the unsuspecting visitor, the crate appears to be just an ordinary piece of set decoration.
Those who wander too closely, however, may shriek when suddenly the chains begin to rattle and shake as a dragon “hatchling ” tries to escape.
“It’s a really fun — especially when we’re building these things in a vacuum — and enjoyable moment when you see people interact with what you’ve created,” Carlson said.
“It’s always fun to visualize it. How can we make something where kids will think there’s actually a dragon in this crate? And to see people jump — it’s fun to try to bring them to life as much as you can. Not just the creature, but the storytelling too.”
Each dragon is animated by its own dedicated computer, control board and motor that power a sequence of movements through pneumatics and compression.
Most are outfitted with sensors as well so the creatures “respond” to guests instead of simply running through the same motions.
“With dinosaurs, there’s actually fact behind it, but with this it’s a creature that perhaps flies and breathes fire or was used in storytelling to warn of danger ... we find that fascinating,” said Carlson.
The Lost World of Dragons is on display in the Garden Auditorium and is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day during the PNE.
It’s interesting to see how ... there’s this mythology and we’re still celebrating it nowadays.