Original ape costume display from 2001:A Space Odyssey

[TomSpinaDesigns]

We were recently entrusted by the Science Fiction Archives with the conservation and display of an original man-ape costume (made by Stuart Freeborn's crew) for 2001: A Space Odyssey. A truly rare and iconic bit of film history, and we were honored to work with the costume and the Archives.

This particular example is a specific female from the film and the chest still has the rigging used when the costumed actor nursed a live baby chimp in the film. It was nearly complete, missing only one foot (something we re-created for the display).

The restoration/repair work was intentionally subtle, with the goal of keeping the sense of age about the piece, but with better overall display-ability and steps taken towards preservation. The body captures the classic poses used by the mimes on set. The base has a classy museum feel while also being a bit of a nod to the monoliths from the film.

I'll let the images do the talking. Some before and after pics below.


More pics and info can be found on our site: Movie creature costume conservation - Man-Ape from Kubrick's film 2001, A Space Odyssey

And we've been showing teasers of the work for some time on our Facebook page. Please join us there if you like this sort of thing! http://www.facebook.com/TomSpinaDesigns

Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoy the pics!

best regards,
Tom

 

[Apollo]

Wow Tom I mean what an honor right?

Nice to see you work your mojo on that piece so future generations can look in awe at it!

 

[TomSpinaDesigns]

Wow Tom I mean what an honor right?

Nice to see you work your mojo on that piece so future generations can look in awe at it!

Thanks man! Definitely an honor for us all. Much appreciated.

For me personally, I'm just such a fan of Stuart's work on this film. The effectiveness pulled from such brilliantly simple internal mechs on the masks are really a special Freeborn-ish genius. :thumbsup

Tom

 

[wannab]

Wow! Well done! :thumbsup
Awesome opportunity Tom -- you should be proud!



Doug

 

[Tony Hardy]

Incredible Tom!!!!

 

[CessnaDriver]

Amazing, had no idea any still existed.
It screams to have a monolith displayed with it.

 

[TomSpinaDesigns]

Thanks guys! I too was thrilled to know this still existed (and even more thrilled when we were contracted to bring it here for our work, being such a fan of Stuart's work).

best,
Tom

 

[jkno]

Congrats! Such a fantastic opportunity to restore and display a great piece of movie history!

 

[Nicov]

Congrats Tom ! You have a lot of talent !

Nicolas

 

[Mola Rob]

Incredible work. I am absolutely amazed that any of those suits survived but I'm glad at least one did.

 

[wannab]

Forgot to ask, were there any jaw mechanics on this one? I was always curious how they did that (manipulate the mouth snarls etc.) in the movie. I'm assuming since this one is more background than hero it was less complex, but knowing how Stanley was maybe he wanted them all "hero ready".


Doug

 

[TomSpinaDesigns]

Forgot to ask, were there any jaw mechanics on this one? I was always curious how they did that (manipulate the mouth snarls etc.) in the movie. I'm assuming since this one is more background than hero it was less complex, but knowing how Stanley was maybe he wanted them all "hero ready".


Doug

Hi Doug,

While the client's asked us not to share pics of the internals, it's safe to say this was definitely hero or "hero ready" and complete with all the fun little flaps and snarls, etc. Stuart's work on these masks is pure ingenuity and simplicity, the truest form a genius (IMO)!

Tom

 

[tim]

Wow! So happy to see that something like this survives from the film!

 

[TomSpinaDesigns]

Thanks, Tim! We were happy to see it as well

best,
Tom