THE FIFTH ELEMENT (1997) - Zorg’s (Gary Oldman) Animatronic Picasso Creature
Zorg’s (Gary Oldman) animatronic creature Picasso, from Luc Besson's sci-fi adventure The Fifth Element. The corrupt industrialist calls upon his colourful little pet when karma causes him to choke on a cherry. He valiantly attempts to assist his master only to receive said cherry to the eye when Father Vito Cornelius (Ian Holm) finally gives him aid. The ‘Souliman Aktapan’ creature was designed by Hélène Giraud, daughter of Jean 'Moebius' Giraud, and brought to life by special-effects artists Nick Dudman and Chris Barton. The creature has a silicone skin with a fibreglass core, which houses a complex assortment of levered cables and servos that controlled everything from the eyes and mouth, down to the tri-pointed tip of his trunk. The lever cables, operated by up to six individual puppeteers, were severed after production, but the roots are still visible beneath the belly. Covering the core is a pinkish silicone skin decorated in a brightly coloured swirling pattern reminiscent of the work painted by his namesake artist, with hand-punched eyelashes and resin claws. It comes presented on a black painted wooden base. The creature remains in overall good condition with some slight surface cracking to the skin. Dimensions: 112 cm x 53 cm x 25 cm (44" x 20 ¾" x 9 ¾") As this item contains mechanical components, every effort has been made to describe them accurately. However, no guarantee or warranty is made as to functionality, lifespan or safety of those components. It is entirely incumbent on the new owner to satisfy themselves as to their safe use and maintenance. VAT Status - Margin TRIANGLE