Presents
The Kuhn Collection
Washington, DC (Mar. 6, 2019) – The model collection of Kurt Kuhn, founder and owner of Modeler’s Miniatures & Magic, will be donated to the Museum of Science Fiction, the world’s first comprehensive science fiction museum, beginning with a full scale replica of the USS Enterprise from Star Trek: The Motion Picture. This model will be on public display for the first time at the Museum’s annual convention, Escape Velocity, in May 2019 (for images of the collection, please see link below).
“This is the beginning of an amazing museum,” said Kuhn. “It’s the first ever replica of the model used in the shooting of the 1979 film, and after all of the work we’ve put into it, I can’t wait for the world to see it for the first time at Escape Velocity 2019.”
The replica Enterprise measures over eight feet long and four feet wide and features an automated light-up sequence identical to the scene in the film when the ship leaves drydock. The construction of this one-of-a-kind model required over 2,000-man hours and is valued at over $100,000. It will be the first of hundreds of pieces in the Kuhn Collection that will be transferred to the Museum over the next few years.
“We couldn’t be more honored that Mr. Kuhn has entrusted us with his incredible collection of replica models and props,” said Rachel Frederick, Museum Curator. “These master-level reproductions of the most iconic ships and vehicles from some of the most beloved science fiction films and television shows are indistinguishable from the original filming miniatures and truly works of art.”
Kurt Kuhn began model building at an early age and credits the original Star Trek television series for his love of science fiction. He has built, and overseen the construction of hundreds of models and props in his lifetime, many of them studio scale and near identical replicas to what was used on set during filming. These models include Cylon Raiders and Colonial Vipers from Battlestar Galactica, a wide range of Rebel and TIE Fighters from Star Wars, and numerous Star Trek vessels such as the Defiant, Klingon Bird of Prey, and Ferengi Marauder.
Mr. Kuhn has worked with many great industry artists, whom he highly credits for the creation and building of these fantastic miniatures. All of these artists will be named with each piece donated they had worked on for Mr. Kuhn. To name a few, this amazing list includes artists Dan Grumeretz, Marc Elkins, R.L. Bleecker, Mike Salzo, Steve Neisen, Jason Eaton, Rick Sternbach, Randy Cooper, Lasse Henning, Syd Mead, Richard Long, Dana Diana, Nick Sainton Clark, George Takacs, Randy Johnson, Mark Worley, Alfred Wong, Nicholas Sagan, Daniel Beck, and many, many more whose names will be displayed with the pieces they had worked on, or contributed to. The list of all involved is tremendous, and Kurt Kuhn is seeing to it that each of them receive the accolades they are deserving of.
These pieces will eventually be seen by millions of patrons of this amazing Museum, creating great imagination, and enhancing the art form with those people who would then begin to create their own art, or express wanting to have such items. “It shall lead people toward the art form, and increase business for artists who take on Commission works.” said Kuhn.
More information about Mr. Kuhn’s gift and images from the Kuhn collection is available here: https://www.museumofsciencefiction.org/kuhn-collection
About the Museum of Science Fiction
The nonprofit Museum of Science Fiction will be the world’s first comprehensive science fiction museum, covering the history of the genre across the arts and providing a narrative on its relationship to the real world. The Museum will show how science fiction continually inspires individuals, influences cultures, and impacts societies. Also serving as an educational catalyst to expand interest in the science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) areas, the Museum uses tools such as mobile applications and wifi-enabled display objects to engage and entertain. For a full press packet on the Museum of Science Fiction’s vision and other information, please visit: www.museumofsciencefiction.org/presspacket
About Escape Velocity 2019
The Museum of Science Fiction and NASA are partnering to bring Escape Velocity 2019 to Washington, DC. The event is a futuristic world’s fair to promote informal STEAM educational activities within the context of science fiction using the fun of comic cons and fascination of science and engineering festivals. Escape Velocity 2019 seeks to make a measurable positive impact to boost informal learning on the more conceptually challenging academic areas. Escape Velocity’s mission is to attract young people to science, technology, engineering, art, and math by producing and presenting the most compelling, exciting, educational, and entertaining science festival in the United States using science fiction as its primary engine. Escape Velocity will achieve orbit on May 24-26, 2019 at the Marriott Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC. For a full press packet on Escape Velocity, please visit: www.escapevelocity.events/press-media
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Kurt Kuhn
USA
