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Acme Archives Selling Limited Edition Avatar Concept Art!

by Alex Billington
December 28, 2009
Source: SlashFilm

Did you end up loving James Cameron's Avatar? Are you a believer that it's going to change movies forever? Well, if you loved it that much, you can buy some rather expensive but gorgeous prints of concept art from Avatar over on Acme Archives. I think a few of these were first introduced at Comic-Con, but thanks to SlashFilm we know that Acme is currently selling four different concept art prints that can be purchased on paper, canvas, or vistachrome, which is "a highly saturated vibrant image laminated on 1/4 inch plexi and mounted on wood with metal standoffs." That'd look pretty awesome hanging on my wall!

Acme is selling three different pieces of concept art showing certain scenes as well as one facial sketch titled "Neytiri" that's signed by James Cameron. "This preliminary sketch by James Cameron gave the designers a feel for the development of Neytiri and the other Na'vi characters." You can see examples of each piece of art below. I wanted to feature all of them because they're so gorgeous. Click each below to be taken to the Acme Archives page for purchase (though don't forget to choose between paper, canvas, or vistachrome):

All of these are limited edition giclee prints that come with a certificate of authenticity. The three concept art prints (not including the Neytiri face) sell at $185 each unframed and are 10 inches by 21 inches in size. The canvas versions sell for $475 unframed and the ultimate vistachrome versions sell for $1800 but come mounted and framed and are 14 inches by 32 inches in size. Very expensive, but worth it if you're a true fan!

My favorite one is the last one I featured above, the blue "Willow Glade" print that shows Neytiri and Jake running across one of the giant luminescent logs at night with the waterfall in the background. This art was actually shown in Amsterdam at CinExpo in the summer, which is where the very first footage from Avatar was revealed. "Production Designer Robert Stromberg created a hallmark environment in this design that served as a backdrop to Jake's journey through the phantasmagorical depths of Pandora." I love all of these prints, but if I had enough money to buy one, that'd be the one I'd get. Anyone else planning on buying one?

Explore tags: Cool Stuff, Featured, Hype

http://movies.iconocritic.com peloquin

I just bought the "Neytiri" signed by Cameron...Not my favorite of the art, but with the legend's signature and production history behind the artwork I couldn't pass it up. Says the ship date is TBA though so I guess I'll just wait patiently for Mr. Cameron to get around to signing my artwork )
Andrew

Wow, those look fantastic. I would love one, but currently spending my spare money on completing the home theater. I will have to wait on decorations until it is complete.
Al

wasn't the biggest fan of Avatar but always loved the shot that is based off the bottom piece.
Gary Arseneau

December 28, 2009 The representation "giclee" does not match the disclosure "reproduction." This is confirmed by the Acme Archives Direct's http://www.acmearchivesdirect.com/faq.jhtm#19 website: "Q. What is a Giclee Limited Edition? A. A giclee is a high-resolution reproduction done on a special large format printer. Giclee are printed with archival quality inks onto a variety of substrates such as canvas and fine art paper. The French term "Giclée" literally meaning "spray of ink," is used to describe these prints. Four precision nozzles spray up to a million microscopic droplets per second onto fine art paper. The giclee printing process provides excellent color accuracy and highly detailed prints. The majority of our giclee prints are printed on high end Epson printers. Each print is hand-numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Edition sizes may range from 25-1000." The vague and ambiguous term "giclee" is being used as an euphemism for a -reproduction/poster-. Would disclosing them upfront as reproduction/posters, allow consumers to give informed consent on whether to pay $185 for one, much less $1,800? In other words, would you pay that much for a poster? Finally, reproductions have no inherent limitations. This promotion and sale of the same image at different sizes confirms that fact. In closing, with full and honest disclosure to these reproductions as reproductions, I wish them much success in selling them. Respectfully, Gary Arseneau artist, creator of original lithographs Fernandina Beach, Florida
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

#4 - I don't think it really matters, at least it doesn't to me, as long as it's as high quality as they can make it. There's obviously no way we're going to get an original copy of the concept art, but if they reproduce it at extreme high quality and put care and concern into the printing and presentation, I'm more than happy to spend that kind of money.
ocp

Didnt see anything on the site in the FAQ, whats vistachrome and why is it so much more?
Gary Arseneau

December 31, 2009 Re: "All of these are limited edition giclee prints that come with a certificate of authenticity." First, unless these non-disclosed reproductions are reproduced with pigmented inks that are lightfastness instead of dyes which can be fugitive, they could fade in the dark, though less quickly than if exposed to light. You purchase could eventually fade before your eyes. Second, who numbered these so-called editions? Should you blindly accept without question the limitation of something that is not fully disclosed as the reproduction it is? Remember, reproductions, no matter how sincere a promise, have no inherent limitations. Third, a "Certificate of Authenticity" is window dressing piece of paper since reproductions are not original works of visual art they can never be considered authentic. Anyone could put together a design and fancy wording on paper, call it a COA and promise you that your investment is save as Madoff Securites. Fourth, unless the original work of visual art and/or the digital file of it is canceled, anyone could someday reproduce more exceeding immediately the so-called limitation that was never true to begin with. If you doubt that for just one second, notice the different sizes and prices for the same image already for sale. Don't think they won't reproduce more in any size without a second thought. Finally, all consumers deserve full and honest disclosure so they can give informed consent. After that it is argumentative. Buyer Beware! Gary Arseneau artist, creator of original Fernandina Beach, Florida
Aaron

You make very good points Gary Arseneau! I do not think I would want to buy something that requires so much talent, if the Real Artist isn't getting payed.
http://www.scrivs.co.uk Canvas Prints

These are cool. Are they for sale in the UK.
Jamey Hardesty

If anyone is selling or knows where I can get the Neytiri signed by Cameron I'd be incredibly glad to take it off your hands or even if you can point me in the right direction!
http://www.sjlwebdesign.co.uk SJL Web Design

Fantastic pieces of art, I loved the film and would die to have one of these in my living room.
http://mario.oyunyolu.net/ Mario Oyunlar?

wasn't the biggest fan of Avatar but always loved the shot that is based off the bottom piece Read more: http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/12/28/acme-archives-selling-limited-edition-avatar-concept-art-prints/#ixzz0t2mjvSH6