Spectacular reconstruction

Doing good with high-tech? A feat!

Life Ball & AUSTRIA FOR LIFE mastermind Gery Keszler found the right partner for his extravagant idea in WESTCAM: a replica of the golden coronation carriage from the 18th century

Details of the coronation carriage

4 tons, 6.77 m long, 2.21 m wide and 3.55 m high, the coronation carriage of the Viennese court is made of lime wood and covered in gold leaf. Eight windows made of Venetian glass and a roof modeled on the Austrian imperial crown make the carriage a magnificent carriage, which was pulled by no less than eight white horses. WESTCAM also brought its best horses from the stables for the replica.

Information about the charity project

Real, digital, real

This is not the first charity art project that WESTCAM has made possible with its technical expertise, and it certainly won’t be the last. After all, putting its digital knowledge and technical expertise at the service of a good cause is part of WESTCAM’s DNA.

Showtime for the 3D scan

The former golden coronation carriage from WESTCAM was scanned down to the smallest detail using non-contact optical 3D-Metrology from GOM/ZEISS. We used our 3D scanner ATOS 5 and the hand-held model T-SCAN hawk.

Fine-tuning with FreeForm design software

The next step was to fine-tune the 3D data generated in this way using software for organic 3D design. Combined with haptic input devices, the Freeform 3D design software transformed traditional craftsmanship into organic, digital design. The data provided by WESTCAM through 3D scanning and organic hybrid design formed the basis for all further design and production steps of the modern showpiece car.

The whole story?

Gery Keszler would actually have liked to use the original ceremonial carriage for the event, but was unable to get permission to do so due to monument protection regulations. The question then arose as to how the carriage could be faithfully reproduced. An impossibility for time and financial reasons alone. But Gery Keszler did not give up and insisted on the fulfillment of his dream.

Then he remembered WESTCAM, whose special expertise he had already heard a lot about. And the 3DMetrology and design/3D printing team made the impossible possible. With the scanned data, it was possible to commission the manufacture of the carriage.

On a journey through time in a show car on April 29, 2023

As part of the 2nd live benefit show, a journey through Austria’s history will highlight parallels with the present. “Only those who know the past can understand the present and shape the future” – this is the motto of AUSTRIA FOR LIFE. The show offers entertainment with depth, using targeted show effects to awaken a fascination for knowledge and provide impetus for solidarity and cohesion in society.

The highlight and central element of the show is the twin of the royal ceremonial carriage, which unites both sides through its design. In addition to stars, young people in particular are part of the concept of the multimedia show at Schönbrunn Palace. The proceeds are used to support aid projects run by the Austria Helps Austria initiative.

Carriage as a sustainable rental object for charitable purposes

Gery Keszler and his association LIFE+ are particularly keen to implement this as a sustainable project. The carriage replica of Emperor Joseph II’s coronation carriage is therefore not only the highlight of the “Austria for life” show, but will also be handed over to the Kunsthistorisches Museum after the charity show and placed in the Wagenburg complex to generate income for charitable purposes: the fully functional replica will be used as a sustainable rental object for exhibitions and film productions. 50% of the future rental income will go to aid projects of the LIFE+ association and 50% to the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Was geschieht mit der extravaganten Kutsche nach der Charity-Show?

The carriage replica of Emperor Joseph II’s coronation carriage is the highlight of the “Austria for life 2023” show and will be handed over to the Kunsthistorisches Museum after the charity show and incorporated into the complex of the Imperial Carriage Museum at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. This will generate income for charitable purposes. The fully functional replica will be used as a sustainable rental object for exhibitions and film productions. 50% of the rental income goes to aid projects of the LIFE+ association and 50% to the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Welche Charity-Projekte unterstützt WESTCAM?

In 2019, for example, WESTCAM supported the Licht ins Dunkel initiative and raised 9,050 euros for people in need by auctioning off the “Baroque meets high-tech” designer crib. Read more: Design crib “Baroque meets high-tech” – Westcam

WESTCAM has created a “funny nativity scene” for the Ö3 Christmas Miracle 2019 aid campaign. The well-known Ö3 presenters Robert Kratky, Andi Knoll and Gabi Hiller were quickly depicted as an “ox”, “donkey” and “angel” from the 3D printer. Read more: Radio Ö3 thanks WESTCAM – Westcam

In 2022 & 2023, the replica of the golden coronation carriage for the “Austria for Life” charity show was realized thanks to WESTCAM. The show will take place on April 29, 2023 in front of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. Find out more: Austria for Life

Kann WESTCAM Kunstobjekte reproduzieren?

WESTCAM has already achieved some real feats with 3D scanners and 3DMetrology experts. To be more precise, this involves archiving and replicating art historical objects using state-of-the-art technologies. Examples include Dante’s digital twin or the measurement of the statue “The Rape of the Sabines”. Read more: Better safe than sorry – preserving art-historical objects thanks to 3D scanning – Westcam