For this trip to look at wax, I kept thinking about how ironic the concept of wax figures are… they look exactly like the figure they are modelled after… but they’re not that person. They’re silent, cold, soulless, wax figures. The ironic part is: the process itself comes from a time when death masks were cool and collectible. In a way, these wax figures have become a permanent record of the original person long after they’ve passed away.
This really struck me while I was looking at Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and Robin Williams. Whitney was so beautiful and talented… and Robin was so humble, intriguing, funny, and smart. But none of that is transferred over… all that is left is their dimensions. Dimensions with which you can have your photo taken, play pretend, and see how tall they are… but they are still silent and… well… dead.
Because of this history and because of the effort put into the detailed dimensions, the only wax museum that I will visit is a Tussaud’s. The point really is to experience being next to that person; to experience the dimensions. And, to see the incredible work done by the sculptors in Acton in West London (where the figures are made).
The method used is extremely gruelling: 250 measurements are taken, 180 photographs are shot using different lenses and lighting while the person stands on a turntable to ensure dimensional accuracy. The entire process takes two hours and all the information that comes out of this is kept strictly confidential. Clothing or costumes come from the person being modelled.
About 330lbs of clay is used to sculpt one figure and the process takes about 6-weeks. The head is made 2% larger to allow for shrinkage. All are supported by a skeleton made of metal and wire. The process is explained in the museum by Beyonce who vlog-ed her experience throughout the process.
