Fifth Element Mangalore mask restoration

I can really appreciate all the care being put into this project and I look forward to seeing it complete.
 
I was asked how to close gaps and rips.......?
For me i found the solution in using fibre cloth for areas which should stay moveable
and wire mesh for areas which needs to build up a stable structure.
And of course its important to use the right "glue".
I used RTV-1 silicone rubber bonding glue and its ultra sticky......
devil.png

You have to hold it in position for 10 minutes but then
you have a super connection and its flexible too...:)



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I could not apply Epoxy all over the mask in one time.
Several sessions were needed to find the right positions for all parts.......
Epoxy is very sticky too.......:unsure


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The next step is to apply primer.
A light grey color is best for seeing all details and it's a good base for
all materials i need to fill gaps and rips.

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I reached the main goal which is preserve the condition.
Of course now it isn't a mask you can wear anymore.
But after complete restoration i can mold it....:D what would not possible if it would be still old brittle foam latex.
Closing and filling all gaps and rips will take several weeks. I let you know then about the progress.......:cheers

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now 19.jpg

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That's a difficult project. I think you took the only route you could to preserve the mask. Yah, it isn't wearable any more, but it wasn't really wearable before either. Foam latex just isn't archivable stuff.

Are you considered painting it? It would make a nice display piece.
 
After restoring the surface by closing all gaps and rips i will mold the mask.
For me it makes more sense to paint a copy of the mask which will be more durable then the "master".
And i can make other "versions" of the Mangalore warriors.
-
The creature crew of the Fifth Element used a trick to make more various Mangalores.
They had about 20-30 differend heads for all the film shoots.
How to save time to make all the characters?
A head consists of 2 parts.
1st ... An outer shell or skin which defines the shape of the ears, the wrinkles, the lips and so on.
2nd ... An inner head with the jaws which gives the head a general shape e.g. small chin with sharp teeth or big chin with partly broken teeth and so on.

If you have 8 different outer heads and 5 different inner heads you can mix them and with coloring the skin tone from grey to brown you can create
a lot of various looking monsters....:cool

...not to mention the different size of the actors, the used material (foam latex and silicon gel) and additional 4 mechatronic inner heads for the hero characters ....
 
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Instead of casting the head and risking more damage from pulling the mould off it, why not 3d scan it and print a base to sculpt new detail onto and paint?
 
No, there is no progress with this mask. But it is stable now.
I will restore another head soon as this head has the same issues with the crumbling foam latex.
This time its a head out of the AKANIT molds. (AKANIT was second in command after AKNOT)
 
Best of luck on the restoration! Akanit was my favorite mangalore design.
No, there is no progress with this mask. But it is stable now.
I will restore another head soon as this head has the same issues with the crumbling foam latex.
This time its a head out of the AKANIT molds. (AKANIT was second in command after AKNOT)
 
I think AKANIT looks much more mean than the most other Mangalores....:devil



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This will be a total challenge to get it restored ................:confused


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