The Goya Awards 2023 took place in Seville with a latent expectation minute by minute to meet this year’s winners, although since the delivery of the first trophy a general doubt has arisen: Has the Goya changed color?
The statuette of the most important Spanish cinema awards is a reproduction of a bust inspired by the painter Francisco de Goya made by Mariano Benlliure in 1902. According to the Academy page, he transformed for his first opus.
From the hand of Miguel Ortiz Berrocal, a small sculpture has been created that combines the bust of the painter from El 3 de mayo in Madrid with a film camera. Both elements, along with a Goya badge that could also serve as a pin, were dismantled; even if its high weight —reaches 15 kg— They redesigned it to give it the shape we know today.
However, in 2023, a change was implemented that did not go unnoticed by viewers. Already in the Best Supporting Actor category — which was won by a Luis Zahera— many have noticed that the bobblehead has ditched its traditional green color to be seen in a much more brown tone.
It was not a problem of broadcasting, nor of public television: the real reason why the Goyas changed this year is the protection of the environment. The Academy decided to start using some sustainability measures, and this 2023 gala was the first where they started to be seen.
Out of scope, plastic containers have been removed, in addition to contracting catering providers close to Seville, the city that hosted this 37th edition of the awards. The most visible, of course, was the color of the big buds: now they are made from recycled bronze, something that explains this color perfectly.
The manufacturing process of the statuettes is subjected to a temperature higher than 700ºC, by the lost wax method. The bronze is centrifuged at high speed and under vacuum, which causes the walls of the reward to be thinner, which solves the fundamental problem of weight. After that, the final touches are chiselled and, through the fire, the final result is achieved.
It seems that from now on we will have to get used to seeing awards of a different color, although what is certain is that the awards for excellence in Spanish cinema will not lose one iota of their meaning, whatever their your. At least, with the explanation they gave from the Academy, In the 38th edition, no one will be surprised that the Goyas have changed forever.