‘Avatar’ and ‘Lincoln’ Production Designer Receives Replacement Oscars After Losing Originals in L.A. Wildfires

The two Academy Awards that renowned production designer Rick Carter lost during the horrific wildfires that ravaged portions of Los Angeles earlier this year have been replaced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

 Carter, known for his Oscar-winning work on ‘Avatar’ (2009) and ‘Lincoln’ (2012), was among hundreds devastated when flames tore through communities including Pacific Palisades and Altadena in January, burning his house and his beloved prizes.

 The Academy announced on its official Instagram earlier this week that Carter had received replacement statuettes in person from CEO Bill Kramer.  The post recognised the importance of reclaiming the Oscars that had been destroyed in the fires and referred to the occasion as an honour.

Image Courtesy: theacademy/ Instagram

The Academy went on to underline that replacements symbolise more than simply physical objects — they pay homage to Carter’s imaginative contributions to cinema.  As previously mentioned, his work has influenced the visual identity of contemporary movies, ranging from the intensely personal narrative of ‘The Fabelmans’ to the nostalgic Americana of ‘Forrest Gump’.  It characterised Carter as a world-builder whose works continue to captivate viewers, in addition to being a set designer.

 Carter considered how significant the event was for him in a video that was posted to Instagram.  He acknowledged that, up until now, it had been difficult for him to feel anything over losing the original Oscars in a fire.  He felt feelings he hadn’t allowed himself to feel since the tragedy when he received the new statuettes.  He thought the event was simply fantastic.

  For ‘Avatar,’ he won Best Achievement in Art Direction in 2010, and for ‘Lincoln,’ he won Best Achievement in Production Design in 2013.

–Farheen Ali