How ‘Evil’ Recreated the 21 Grams Science Experiment From the Early 1900s
variety.comJazz Tangcay Artisans EditorThe third season of Paramount+ series “Evil” returned on June 12, and the show is darker than ever as it continues to straddle the worlds of science and religion.For the season opener, production designer Ray Kluga transformed an airport hangar in New York into a space for a group of scientists to experiment on dead bodies.
The idea was to measure the weight of a soul, a question that goes back to the early 20th century when scientist Duncan MacDougall determined the weight lost after death was 21 grams.Kluga’s biggest challenge was in envisioning what a century-old experiment in the modern world would look like.
The ethically questionable measurement was never repeated, so he was free to let his imagination run. “I was trying to have a vintage sci-fi design, particularly with the casketlike box that sits in the middle of the room,” he says.
The area was painted stark white, reflective of a cold scientific space. Pops of red and yellow were added to some piping on the walls.
Read more on variety.com
