Disney exhibition opens in Padua revealing creative process behind timeless stories

The exhibition 'DISNEY. L’arte di raccontare storie senza tempo' has opened at the Centro Culturale Altinate San Gaetano in Padua, following successful runs in Milan and Rome. Curated by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library in collaboration with Federico Fiecconi, a historian and critic of comics and animation cinema, the show delves into the creative process behind Disney storytelling. It features original works from the Disney Animation archives, including character design drawings, animation drawings, layouts, and backgrounds from the 1930s to the present day by legendary animators such as Les Clark, Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas, Ward Kimball, and Marc Davis. The exhibition is divided into thematic sections with interactive and immersive environments, tracing Disney stories back to their roots in epic and literary traditions, medieval legends, and folklore. It highlights how Walt Disney, after a 1935 trip to Europe where he acquired about 335 illustrated books, adapted these ancient tales for cinema while preserving their cultural essence. The show also covers technological innovations from traditional drawing to computer graphics and 3D. A special interactive path for children aged 4 to 10 offers educational activities. The exhibition is promoted by the Municipality of Padua – Department of Culture and the Centro Culturale Altinate San Gaetano, produced by 24 ORE Cultura-Gruppo 24 ORE.