By Jessica Benda
Ahead of the exhibition’s global opening, a special first look at “Walt Disney and El Grupo: A Trip Through Latin America” debuted in Mexico City today.
The exhibition is the first dedicated to Walt Disney’s 1941 research trip through several Latin American countries. Joined by a close group of artists, Walt aimed to learn in-depth about the region, experience the beauty of its land, and celebrate its cultures through future Disney films.
The preview arrived at the Soumaya Museum with over 60 restored photographs, archival footage, film clips, posters from two feature films, and more than 30 pieces of artwork inspired by the journey.
“We at the Walt Disney Archives are thrilled to share a series of photos that transcend the borders of language and culture. These fascinating photos tell the special story of a group of artists who fell in love with lands far from their own home and were inspired to create films that simply celebrate the global friendship they discovered there,” said Becky Cline, director of Walt Disney Archives.
Walt Disney Archives presents the exhibition in association with the Live Entertainment team of The Walt Disney Company Latin America. The exposition, which takes place during Disney’s 100th anniversary, will be available and free to the public until Saturday, March 18. Audio guides and Mexican Sign Language interpretation are offered.
“We are very excited to be able to provide a very unique glimpse into a lesser-known episode on the impact that Walt Disney’s journey through Latin America had on his life and work, as well as on the culture and society of that time,” said Allan Navarrete, Senior Vice President and General Manager, The Walt Disney Company Mexico.
In 2017, the Cineteca Nacional in Mexico City held another exhibition, “Mexico and Walt Disney: A Magical Encounter,” which showed Walt’s visit through the city itself, as well as the states of Jalisco, Veracruz, and Acapulco.
In the latest exhibition, the experience presents another episode of the trip Walt and a group of artists took through Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Perú, Chile, Ecuador, and Guatemala. These visits, along with a visit to Mexico, inspired the making of two colorful features that celebrated the beauty and cultural richness of Latin America: Saludos Amigos and Los Tres Caballeros.
“At The Walt Disney Company Latin America, we are eager to share this must-see exhibition with local audiences so they can explore this special trip and the emblematic bond forged between Walt Disney, his staff, and the culture of the region,” said Ariana Fernandez, The Walt Disney Company Latin America’s Director of Live Entertainment Business and Strategy.