The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences have purchased one of the models used in the production of the visual effects for Stanley Kubrick’s landmark 2001: A Space Odyssey. The model of the Aries 1B Trans-Lunar Space Shuttle that transports scientists from the Earth-orbiting space station to the moon base located near the discovered black Monolith was purchased by the Academy Saturday at Premiere Prop‘s Hollywood Extravaganza Auction for $344,000.
The model is one of the very few pieces from the production of 2001 that still exists. Worried that they could be reused in other science-fiction films, Kubrick famously ordered all of the props, costumes and special effects models destroyed upon the completion of the film. According to Variety, the model survived the edict and was acquired by a high school art teacher in 1975 “under an agreement that the electronics be removed from the model to demonstrate the technology to his students.”
The model, which measures in at 32 inches high, 27 inches wide and 28 inches deep, was purchased to be a part of the Academy’s planned Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Construction on the museum is set to start this summer for a 2017 grand opening.
i see the shape of the millenium falcon… the red picture