By Cristina Galle
The statue of David is one of the most well-known symbols of Florence. Michelangelo Buonarroti started sculpting the 14-foot statue in 1501 at the age of 26. As a fellow 26-year-old, it is nearly impossible for me to imagine myself taking on a project like this. The original statue was made from a single block of marble that was previously discarded by two other sculptors, but Michelangelo accepted the challenge. He completed the statue in 1504 and it stood in the Piazza della Signoria for 400 years; its current home is in the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence. It is fascinating to me that the marble rejected by other sculptors was used to create one of the most recognizable figures from the Renaissance.
This year, a near-perfect replica of Michelangelo’s original statue of David will be on display as a representative art piece for Italy at the rescheduled Expo 2020 in Dubai. Initially scheduled for 2020, the event will now run from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. Italy’s pavilion is in the Opportunity District with the theme “beauty connects people,” which is fitting as this replica showcases how art and science can work together to create something exceptional. It will connect people by bringing them together after over a year of Covid-19 social distancing.
A team in Florence created a David replica by using 3D scanners and printers, a challenge which combined history and technology. The replica took months of work to complete, including 40 hours of scanning the original figure to create a complete digital copy. The scanning allowed the crew to create a three-dimensional digital model of the statue, which they printed with one of the world’s largest 3D printers. The statue was not printed as one giant piece – the team printed smaller components to create the full figure. I’m also happy to know that the team considered the environment to make the replica through the use of recycled plastics instead of new material.
The team then completed the finishing touches by hand. These finishing touches aimed to give the replica the closest possible look to the original and involved using resin and powdered marble to coat the 3D-printed plastic structure. I like how the use of modern technology and materials to create the form of this statue while maintaining the original look.
The replica of the David statue holds more meaning than just the intersection of art, history, science, and technology. The Expo will be one of the first major events in a post-pandemic world and nicely juxtaposes the story of David and Goliath. Just as David was victorious over Goliath, this event symbolizes overcoming the pandemic that swept the world.
The statue has been promoted as a highlight of the Expo event, which expects to welcome international attendees and will showcase Italy alongside nearly two hundred other countries. The replica may spark renewed interest in travel to the historic city where the statue resides. Nothing can compare to seeing historical monuments in the places they were created and that they call home. Though the replica is ground-breaking for its methods, the original is just as if not more innovative because it was carved out of the vision in Michelangelo’s mind.
The replica will be on display from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. Fortunately, you can always visit the original statue at the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, Italy.