Madame Tussauds: uneventful or exhilarating

Madame Tussauds, a great day out for all! The set designs, lighting, and live actors make a special experience with a fresh take on exhibiting the artists’ work. You are encouraged to interact with the wax models and have a laugh.

I went to Madame Tussauds London and realised that exhibiting your artwork does not have to be dull. If you do not know what Madame Tussauds is it is a chain of museums that is famous for its life-sized, realistic wax figures of celebrities and historical icons exhibited in themed galleries. 

As soon as you step inside the museum you get a sneak peak of what is in stall for you as two wax figures stand at the entrance. Then after your quick ride in the elevator your journey begins. I was welcomed into a room full of celebrate wax figures after walking through a red carpet themed tunnel whilst an actor plays his role as a paparazzo. I was not expecting there to be room after room of delightful galleries and you began to wonder what could be in stall next. I normally find myself getting bored in museums and galleries after a while however this was not the case for Madame Tussauds. I experienced star wars, Shrek, sports, interspace and many more themed sections.

You also learn how the wax models are made and are shocked by some statistics including how each human hair is individually inserted and it takes about five weeks per strand.

The wax models are made in several processes taking in total over eight hundred hours and over twenty artists. Two hundred measurements and photos are taken of the person that they are going to recreate. For historical figures they use existing photos. Next, the wax is poured into the clay mould with a metal skeleton which is left to cool. At this step the head is only left for fifty minutes then the unhardened wax is poured out so that they can insert the eyes and teeth. There is ten layers of oil-based paint added for the realistic skin. 

It really is a great event for the whole family because there is so many different themes and even a small ride and a marvel themes 4D cinema. The best part of the experience was the fact visitors where encouraged to get up close and personal with the figures unlike 'traditional' galleries that exhibit work behind barriers. Although at times it was a little crowded to get pictures it really represents the interactive nature of the exhibition. 

My biggest thing that I took away from Madame Tussauds is that galleries do not have to be boring, they can be an event. So if you had decided that galleries where boring, think again!

Header Image Credit: Jasmine McMullen

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