There’s probably at least one flying above your head right now, but don’t be afraid! Not all drones are designed for surveillance and war making – just look at the proliferation of drone technology in the world of art, which has always looked to push the boundaries of human possibility through constant experimentation in creativity, imagination and technology. Examining drone art enables us to understand the more profound motives behind a phenomenon that is transcending the world of technology and entering the world of art.

Tourism flies higher

Take a drone, add some medieval hamlets and a few breath-taking views and you have the perfect combination for capturing stunning photographs and videos without having to fork out exorbitant sums for helicopters and special equipment. Cutting-edge drone technology means you can aim high, whether you’re a film maker or a businessman. The spectacular images taken by drones are being widely used to benefit the tourism industry all over the world, given that they are allowing us to capture previously unthinkable shots.

Special effects become reality

What used to only be possible thanks to computer graphics in Hollywood films is now being done live. A wonderful example of this is Cirque du Soleil’s Sparked, a live, interactive performance featuring both drones and humans.

Beyond the boundaries of music

John Cale and Liam Young’s Drone Orchestra made its debut at the Barbican Theatre in London with LOOP>>60Hz, an audio-visual experience which surpasses standard innovation and blazes a trail to the very vanguards of our world.

Everything suggests that the future will see the potential of drones expand exponentially, with results beyond our wildest dreams. We can expect the boundary between technology, performance art and pure imagination to become even more arbitrary.