What happens when an 19th century marble dog sculpture meets a 3D printed man from the digital age? What can they learn from one another? Let’s find out! You can view both of these objects at our V&A museums!
Interviewer
Welcome everyone, to Sculpture Showdown! Today we have two very special guests. First up, howling from 19th-century Italy, it’s the marble magnificence, the whippet wonder – give it up for Marble Doggo!
Marble Doggo
Woof! I’d wag my tail if it wasn’t made of marble! Nice to meet you – do you have a sausage for me by any chance?
Interviewer
Err no sorry, no sausages… and now to introduce our next guest – all the way from the 21st Century, meet our 3D Printed Bearded Man!
3D Printed Bearded Man
Well good day chaps! I’m sorry I cannot shake your hand and paw, but as you can see, I have no body.
Marble Doggo
Arf! No worries Beardy – erm – you don’t happen to have a sausage hidden in that beard do you? I’ll take a 3D printed one even…
3D Printed Bearded Man
Sorry doggy, nothing in my beard other than robust white nylon material!
Interviewer
So, we’ve established there are no sausages here. Tell us about your backgrounds!
3D Printed Bearded Man
Well, my creator made me from a digital scan taken on a mobile phone of an 18th century marble sculpture. I’m the cool, modern version if you like!
Marble Doggy
My creator, Joseph Gott, made me simply because he LOVED dogs. I am honoured to be part of his doggy sculpture collection. Aren’t I cute?
Interviewer
You are very cute, Marble Doggo! What do you think you can both learn from each other?
3D Printed Bearded Man
I can appreciate the immense skill it took to create Marble Doggo and how beautiful he looks. And as a bonus, he won’t shed hair on the sofa.
Marble Doggo
I can appreciate that sculptures like me can be made quicker and cheaper for many people to enjoy. Imagine lots of me all over the world! Barking mad!
Interviewer
Well, thanks for being here both – I’ll let you get back to being public figures of admiration here in the V&A museums!
