The Disney Animation World Tour has come to Taiwan！ The National Museum of History will host the special exhibition “Make-A-Wish: The Art of Disney’s Classic Animated Films” from tomorrow (the 10th) through March 14, 2012. In addition to showcasing many behind-the-scenes hand-drawn works from classic animations that have never been made public, the exhibition will also introduce the mysterious animation production process. Moreover, seven selected animated clips will be screened, taking both children and adults on a journey through a fairytale time tunnel.
The image of Snow White in Disney animations is that of a girl of marriageable age, differing from other illustrations featuring blond hair and large eyes. (Image provided by The Walt Disney Animation Research Library)
The Walt Disney Animation Research Library houses nearly 60 million pieces of work, documenting the evolution of Disney animation since 1928. The “Make-A-Wish” special exhibition selects over 600 highlights from this collection for display in Taiwan, allowing the public to see why Disney animations have become classics. Remember the chubby alligator Louis who loves jazz in “The Princess and the Frog,” and the firefly Ray who falls in love with a star? Or the clownfish in “The Little Mermaid”? Supporting characters often play important roles in Disney stories, which is one of the key elements that make Disney animations so appealing. Additionally, transformation is often a pivotal turning point in Disney stories—such as the Beast finally turning back into a prince before the last petal falls in “Beauty and the Beast.”
Hand-drawn manuscript of “Beauty and the Beast.” (Image provided by The Walt Disney Animation Research Library)
Scene design is also a crucial element. The production team of “Beauty and the Beast” traveled to the French countryside to study castles, medieval architecture, churches, cobblestone roads, wall textures, and, of course, the local food and wine. Similarly, the kingdom structure in “Tangled” was designed based on famous European architecture, such as Prague’s Charles Bridge. These backgrounds enhance the artistic quality of the animations.
Hand-drawn manuscript of “The Ugly Duckling.” (Image provided by The Walt Disney Animation Research Library)
The exhibited works brought to Taiwan include sketches, design drawings, scene paintings, character designs, sculptures, precious manuscripts, selected animated shorts, and even the work desks used by animators from the early, middle, and late eras. The rich collection spans everything from early animations (“Three Little Pigs,” “The Ugly Duckling,” “Mickey and the Beanstalk”), to “Snow White,” “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Princess and the Frog,” and up to more recent titles like “Tangled.” Visitors can immerse themselves in a corridor of time through Disney’s classic fairytales.