What's New > Studio Artefact - Step behind the curtain: the making of the GROTTO
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Studio Artefact is taking you backstage of ‘’Bernadette: The Musical’’ to discover how the Grotto of Massabielle took shape for the show’s North American tour, now on stage in Chicago.
Commissioned to carry out the technical design and fabrication of this monumental structure, Studio Artefact's team combined precision engineering, large‑scale 3D printing, expert sculpting and surface artistry to bring the illusion of carved stone to life on stage.
From segmented panels to seamless assembly, every detail was crafted to meet the creative vision while ensuring mobility and durability for a touring production.
Curious to see how technology and art came together for this project? Dive into the full process in their case study below.
Please note:
This news content, including text and photos, was pulled from this Studio Artefact LinkedIn post. All rights and copyrights to the images are exclusively theirs.
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Case Study
Once the stone is mastered, it travels light!
For Bernadette, The Musical’s new production touring North America this year, we were given a creative challenge: to bring the iconic Massabielle grotto to life on stage. This involved sculpting a 20 x 28-foot rock that was both monumental and transportable.
*THE CHALLENGE*
How do you recreate the depth and texture of a sacred natural site, much larger than any theater stage?
Our team had to design a set that combined realism, scale, and mobility, while withstanding the rigors of a touring production. We therefore had to find solutions for:
- Lightweight design that could be moved silently on stage.
- A sturdy and safe construction.
- Quick and efficient assembly and disassembly on site.
- An authentic rendering of stone under dynamic lighting.
*THE PROCESS*
The project began with a 3D scan of the Grotto of Massabielle.
We printed a 1:12 scale 3D model, which our sculptors refined by hand to add depth and artistic nuances. This updated piece was scanned again, ensuring technical precision to the highest standards of scenic engineering.
For the final production, we carried out:
- A panel segmentation study to optimize assembly and transport logistics.
- Large-scale 3D printing executed in-house (using our largest 3D printer capable of printing up to 20 m³, a record capacity for artistic productions in North America).
- Expert texturing and manual patina work, blending technology and craftsmanship to capture the true essence of the cave.
*THE RESULT*
An imposing scenic sculpture that is light, immersive, and breathtakingly real, engineered for durability without compromise!
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