The work on the Dancing Satyr was born from an encounter with the Institute of Physics of the ICR (Central Institue of Restauration) and represented the possibility to develop technological know-how in a promising new market segment as well as being an interesting and prestigious project. The results and success of the operation, under the sponsorship of the Universal Exhibition of Aichi, have been so evident that working in the field of art has become an important activity for Re Fraschini.

The Dancing Satyr is an extraordinary bronze statue, created about 2400 years ago and recovered from the depths of the Canal of Sicily in October 1998. For the first time, the Satyr, symbol of vital force and creator of nature, left Italy in order to be exhibited in the Italian Pavilion at the Universal Exhibition of Aichi in 2005.

Using the prototype of a digital 3D model and by using the technique of layering composite material in carbon fibre, Re Fraschini produced an innovative, made to measure protective “shell”, allowing the precious work of art to be moved safely to and from exhibitions.

Digital 3D technology, combined with composite technology used in Formula 1 cars and America’s Cup yachts, has also revealed to be of great use for the restoration of the sculpture. Three dimensional scanning of the body made it possible to reproduce on monitor a 3D representation of the statue to design and simulate the support system and the structure of the statue for its presentation, before intervention on the original work

May 2005