The Fly in 3D
-Updated 2/13/22-
Do you guys remember the 1986 film ‘The Fly” with Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis (wife from Beetlejuice, greatest movie of all time)? Seth Brundle is a misunderstood scientist who invents teletransport via telepods, but he struggles when it comes to sending live DNA through successfully. The flick is much more gory than I remembered, so it’s a perfect Halloween time review. You’ve been warned. LOL.
So of course I just re-watched this Oscar-winning film to research textures, movement, articulation. I’m a huge Jeff Goldblum fan. It still floors me that he scat sings in a jazz band in L.A. It’s..uhhh…Wild. Just wild. (I hope you read that in his voice.) Years ago I told myself I’d paint a large scale portrait of him. Never did I think the first tribute art to Jeff Goldblum I’d create would be his full transformation into THE FLY. But I’m so happy with how it came out!!
So what we have here is a super lightweight paper mache bust of the fly, Seth Brundle in his final transformation. Formed using an old hairstylist practice mannequin head, cardboard and packing papers, it really came to life when I started painting it. The pallette was putrid. Liquid latex really gave it that gooey, sticky, disgusting texture I was going for.
“I’m an insect who dreamt he was a man and loved it. But now the dream is over and the insect is awake.”
So why did I make this? There’s actually SO many reasons this 3D art project had to happen! Some of you may know that I work as a Marketing Director for America’s oldest pest management company. I’ve also been known for many, many years to be the “Bug Girl”. Insects are super cool. And what’s cool about my job is that I occasionally get to flex my art school skills publicly.
There was a movie-themed networking event happening for my company’s sister brand in Indiana this week. And it’s Halloween season! THE BEST SEASON EVER BECAUSE COSTUMES. How could we NOT go all out with this?? For the last few years, we’ve gone with insect-themed movies for our booth. Arachnophobia was a huge hit. Last year was Ant-Man vs. Wasp. This year my coworkers helped make my sci-fi nerd Goldblum-loving dreams come to life. Haha.
The Fly bust has found its new home. I have donated this piece to my friends Katie and Aaron, owners of Mission Control Arcade Bar in Roger’s Park Chicago. They had moved from the Uptown Arcade spot on Broadway and it’s a much larger, lovlier space. AAAAND they have NBA Jam and TONS of other awesome games. :)
