Graphic of a surgical instrument from Dead Ringers

Cronenbergian Artifacts: Gallery

The gallery below contains a selection of 3D artifacts from the Cronenberg universe, as referenced in Caroline Seck Langill's article The Menace of Things. From the Spectacular Optometry International Helmet of Videodrome to the insect-typewriters from Naked Lunch and the Instruments for Operating on Mutant Women in Dead Ringers, many of these objects represent significant plot points in Cronenberg's films. Explore these artifacts, and others, in the gallery below.

Hobbes' parasite creature from the film Shivers.

Hobbes' parasite (prop).
Joe Blasco, Creatures Creator and Special Makeup Artist

Shivers, 1975
Foam latex, paint, metal wire
7.6 x 54.6 x 8.9cm
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Helmet prop used in the film Videodrome.

Accumicon – Spectacular Optometry International Helmet (prop).
Tom Coulter, Assistant Art Director

Videodrome, 1983
Plastic, foam, metal
35.6 x 44.4 x 31.8cm
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Fly head, as seen in the film The Fly.

Life-size head of the Fly creature (prop).
Chris Walas Inc., Creature Effects

The Fly, 1986
Foam rubber, bristles
34 x 21 x 28cm
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Model of the fly puppet for the film The Fly.

Mechanically operated Fly creature puppet (maquette).
Jim Isaac, Creature Effects
Chris Walas Inc., Creature Effects

The Fly, 1986
Foam rubber, bristles, metal
31 x 21 x 11cm
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Severed hand of Stathis Borans as seen in The Fly.

Severed hand of Stathis Borans (prop).
Chris Walas Inc., Creature Effects

The Fly, 1986
Wax, pigment
18.5 x 13.5 x 9.1cm
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Gynecological Instrument #1 as seen in the film Dead Ringers.

Instrument for operating on mutant women (prop).
Cheryl Camack Grundy, Sculptor
David Didur, Fabricator
Peter Grundy, First Assistant Art Director

Dead Ringers, 1988
nickel plated brass
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Gynecological Instrument #2 as seen in the film Dead Ringers.

Instrument for operating on mutant women (prop).
Cheryl Camack Grundy, Sculptor
David Didur, Fabricator
Peter Grundy, First Assistant Art Director

Dead Ringers, 1988
nickel plated brass
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Gynecological Instrument #3 as seen in the film Dead Ringers.

Instrument for operating on mutant women (prop).
Cheryl Camack Grundy, Sculptor
David Didur, Fabricator
Peter Grundy, First Assistant Art Director

Dead Ringers, 1988
nickel plated brass
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Gynecological Instrument #4 as seen in the film Dead Ringers.

Instrument for operating on mutant women (prop).
Cheryl Camack Grundy, Sculptor
David Didur, Fabricator
Peter Grundy, First Assistant Art Director

Dead Ringers, 1988
nickel plated brass
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Gynecological Instrument #5 as seen in the film Dead Ringers

Instrument for operating on mutant women (prop).
Cheryl Camack Grundy, Sculptor
David Didur, Fabricator
Peter Grundy, First Assistant Art Director

Dead Ringers, 1988
nickel plated brass
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Gynecological Instrument #6 as seen in the film Dead Ringers

Instrument for operating on mutant women (prop).
Cheryl Camack Grundy, Sculptor
David Didur, Fabricator
Peter Grundy, First Assistant Art Director

Dead Ringers, 1988
nickel plated brass
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Typewriter used in the film Naked Lunch.

Mujahadeen typewriter (prop).

Naked Lunch, 1991
Typewriter with Arabic characters adhered to keys, paint, metal, rubber, plastic
27 x 42 x 38cm
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Puppet for talking asshole from Naked Lunch.

Case Officer Beetle / talking asshole (puppet).
Chris Walas Inc., Special Creatures and Effects

Naked Lunch, 1991
Foam rubber, paint, moulded plastic, hand-operated levers
22.9 x 45.7 x 33.0cm
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Prop seen in pawn shop window in Naked Lunch.

Kiki and the Mugwump (prop).
Chris Walas Inc., Special Creatures and Effects

Naked Lunch, 1991
Wood, cast plastic on base
37.7 x 26.7 x 26.5cm
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

The gristle gun as seen in the movie eXistenZ.

Gristle gun (prop).
Stephan Dupuis, Special Makeup Designer and Creature Designer
John Jackson, Special Effects Technician

eXistenZ, 1999
Found objects, science hobby kit components, latex
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Game-Pod from the film eXistenZ.

MetaFlesh Game-Pod (prop).
Stephan Dupuis, Special Makeup Designer and Creature Designer
Jim Isaac, Visual and Special Effects Supervisor

eXistenZ, 1999
Composite silicone, mixed media, hidden metal components
20 x 16 x 8cm
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Two headed mutant creature seen in the film eXistenZ.

Mechanical operating two-headed mutant amphibian (maquette).
Stephan Dupuis, Special Makeup Designer and Creature Designer

eXistenZ, 1999
Silicone, paint, plastic, wires, brass handles
12 x 35 x 34cm
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library

Mutant amphibian creature seen in the film eXistenZ.

Mutant amphibian creature (prop).
Stephan Dupuis, Special Makeup Designer and Creature Designer

eXistenZ, 1999
Silicone, polyurethane foam
6 x 69 x 25cm (approx/irregular)
David Cronenberg Collection, TIFF Film Reference Library