This short film made for the “Hadrian” Exhibition in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem shows the Lost Wax technique in bronze casting using a combination of 2D animation and stop motion. From the film:
The preparation process included a research and a constant dialogue with the curator and the restoration department of the museum as well as a visit in a bronze casting workshop. The head used in the film was a plaster replica of the original Hadrian’s bronze statue found in Tel-Shalem, Israel, 117-138 CE.
Client: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Exhibition Curators: David Mevorah and Rachel Caine Kreinin
Directors: Renana Aldor, Kobi Vogman
Art and Design: Renana Aldor, Kobi Vogman
Stop Motion Animation: Renana Aldor, Kobi Vogman
2D Animation: Renana Aldor
Compositing: Kobi Vogman
Sound Design: Mikael Berkowitsch
Typography: Alex Belenkiy
What is the Lost Wax technique?
Bronze objects have been cast using this technique for over 5,000 years. Although some of the techniques and materials have changed since then as technology evolved, this arduous process is still a process of choice for sculptures because of the accuracy of the details that it creates and the durability of the artwork made. As before, many artists depend on independent foundries for casting.