The iconic golden Oscar statuettes are returning to their fine art roots this year with the help of modern technology.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has teamed up with Polich Tallix Fine Art Foundry, based in Rock Tavern, New York, to create the new batch of statuettes ahead of the Oscars on February 28.
“With the help of some 21st century technology, we’re able to honor the Oscar’s proud beginnings. The new statuette exemplifies impeccable craftsmanship and the enduring nature of art,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs.
Using a cast bronze Oscar from 1929, the Polich Tallix artisans have restored subtle features of George Stanley’s original sculpture, which was based on sketches by MGM art director Cedric Gibbons. The overall size of the statuette remains the same.
“With this project, we’ve been entrusted with continuing a great tradition. It’s a privilege to be able to bring our art experience and technical expertise to the Oscar,” said Dick Polich, Polich Tallix founder and CEO.
The company started its Oscar-making process by creating digital scans of the 1929 statuette and a modern-era pedestal base. The digital Oscar was then 3D-printed and moulded so the form could be cast in wax.
The wax statuette is coated in a ceramic shell that is cured and fired at 1,600 Fahrenheit, which melts the wax away leaving an empty Oscar-shaped form.
It is then cast in liquid bronze at more than 1,800 Fahrenheit, cooled, and sanded to a mirror polish finish.
The figure portion of each Oscar is electroplated with a permanent layer of reflective 24-karat gold.
It is a meticulous process as it takes about three months to produce 50 statuettes in this manner.
Chicago-based RS Owens & Company had been making the statuettes, which stand at the height of 13.5 inches and weight of 8.5 pounds, since 1982.
The company, while not making the new statuettes, will continue to service existing statuettes and create other awards for the Academy.