Art Students Enjoy a Lesson on Dali & Disney’s ‘Destino’

Just before the start of summer vacation, Livonia’s Clarenceville High School art students were treated to a special guest lecture by Park West Gallery Director Morris Shapiro.

The art lesson focused on the unprecedented surrealist masterpiece, Destino, a most unique collaboration between American animator Walt Disney and Spanish artist Salvador Dali.

Students enjoyed watching the Oscar nominated animated film Destino and learning about its history through an exclusive  recorded interview between Park West Gallery and Roy E. Disney, who championed the project’s completion.

The art class was further enthused by the opportunity to view various graphic works of Destino from the Park West Gallery collection, each created from Dali’s original artwork and storyboards.

At the end of the day, Park West Gallery distributed art goodies for everyone — small tokens of appreciation for the students’ enthusiasm for studying the arts.

> Learn more about Destino at www.parkwest-destino.com
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Park West Gallery is committed to art enrichment and community outreach, having donated thousands of new items of clothing, works of art and books to charitable and educational organizations nationwide. To nominate a charitable organization in your community that would benefit from the Park West Gallery CARES philanthropic initiative, please send your submission to pwgcares@parkwestgallery.com.

Dalí + Disney = Destino

In the late 1990s, Roy E. Disney, Walt Disney’s nephew, discovered the paintings and storyboards for the unfinished Destino collaboration film between Walt Disney and Salvador Dali. Roy decided to reprise the film and it became one of his greatest and most passionate projects. In addition to completing the film, a series of graphic works were created from the Dali artwork to commemorate the project and allow collectors to enjoy an added dimension to the unprecedented collaboration.

 
(View more images from the Park West Gallery Destino Collection)

On November 5, 2010, the Gala-Salvador Dali Foundation in Figueres, Spain, opened a new exhibit highlighting the works of Destino.

With the occasion of this worldwide presentation, the Dalí Foundation has organised a small format show at the Drawings Room, with materials owned by the Foundation that illustrate the intense collaboration between both genius for the execution of Destino. The exhibition will permanently screen this film and will also show 27 pieces: 1 oil painting, 1 watercolour, 15 preparatory drawings—10 of which are unpublished—and 9 photographs of Dalí in the creative process of this material, of the Disney couple in Port Lligat in 1957, and the Dalí couple in Burbank (California). An educational leaflet has been published about the exhibition contents, in 4 languages. (download the leaflet | pdf)

The exhibition Dalí + Disney = Destino will be on view in the Drawings Room from November 5 – May 8, 2011. (more info)

Park West Gallery is proud to have been selected to represent the Destino artworks published by Collector’s Editions and to be able to bring these sought after and historically unique works to collectors worldwide.

Learn more about the Park West Gallery Destino Collection »

In Memoriam: Roy E. Disney (1930-2009)

“Destino”, a short film by Salvador Dali and Walt Disney, lay unfinished for
nearly 60 years until it was completed by Disney’s nephew Roy. [Courtesy: AFP]

In Memoriam: Roy E. Disney (1930-2009)
Written by Morris Shapiro, Park West Gallery Director

Roy Edward Disney, nephew of Walt Disney, died Wednesday at the age of 79.

I had the pleasure of meeting Roy E. Disney on New Year’s Eve of 2006. Marc Scaglione, the President of Park West Gallery, and I visited his office in Los Angeles and conducted a videotaped interview with him about one of his passions, the Disney-Dali film collaboration, Destino. 

We spent about four hours with him and had enough time to enjoy his company, observe his environment and talk about some of the things that don’t appear in the 18-minute edited video. We asked him about being a child “hanging out” in the Disney milieu, about some of the people he met there over the years, about his uncle Walt, his father Roy O. Disney and the amazing legacy of his own life’s work. Throughout he was cordial, focused, insightful and engaging. I had the impression that he was also an extremely smart man.

We could tell from observing his office that he loved sailing (he had numerous clipper models on display), good beers (there were some exotic ones in his refrigerator), and all things Irish. He was very proud of the Destino project and listening to the story of how it came about, how he discovered the drawings, paintings and storyboards for the film in the Disney vaults, was enthralling. Without his vision, execution and efforts to secure the rights, the world would have never had the opportunity to see the artwork (which has toured the world in a museum show, called Dali and Film), and experience the film itself, which is a true collaboration of Salvador Dali and Walt Disney – two giants in their respective fields.

I view that day in his office as one of the high-points of my career. And every time I see the interview and the Destino film from now on, I’ll have a deeper appreciation for the man we met, his work and that New Year’s Eve day.

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Related Links:

• Salvador Dali and Walt Disney’s Destino
• “Dali and Disney: The Art and Animation of Destino”
• The Park West Gallery Destino Collection
• The Park West Gallery Disney Collection
• Park West Gallery Master Sites: Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali and Walt Disney’s Destino

“Dear Park West Gallery Customer,

My name is Michael Young and I am the CEO of Collectors Editions, the company which holds the fine art licensing rights for the Salvador Dali – Walt Disney collaboration, Destino.

Park West Gallery is an authorized dealer for the artwork published by Collectors Editions from the Dali – Disney Destino project.

The Destino project itself is quite interesting and historically unique. It is really the only true example of animated Salvador Dali art in film.

When Dali was living in California during the 1940’s he met Walt Disney at the home of Jack Warner and they decided based on their mutual respect for each other’s work to collaborate.

Dali considered Disney to be one of America’s great surrealist artists. They chose a Mexican love ballad as the theme and for many months at the Disney studios, Dali created drawings, paintings and storyboards for the project. For various reasons the project was never completed and the original art was left in the Disney vaults.

In 1999, Roy E. Disney, nephew of Walt, remembered the existence of the art and with his team reprised the project. The film was screened throughout the world, won numerous awards and the artwork has just completed a world museum tour where it appeared in the exhibition, Dali and Cinema.

The Destino artworks published by Collectors Editions are of the highest quality graphic fine art works and have included various media: etchings, lithographs and serigraphs - from Dali’s originals as well as quintessential moments from the film. The works are subjected to the highest scrutiny of artistic quality and are created in strictly limited editions.

Congratulations on acquiring your works from Destino, and I wish you many years of enjoyment.”

Michael Young
President, Collectors Editions

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Related Links:

• “Dali and Disney: The Art and Animation of Destino” at the DAI
• View artwork from the Park West Gallery Destino collection
• The Park West Gallery Salvador Dali art collection microsite
• View artwork from the Park West Gallery Disney collection

Park West Art Collectors Collaborate with DAI to Present “Dali and Disney: The Art and Animation of Destino”

Park West Gallery VIP customers, Lawrence and Holly Thompson are sharing some surreal artwork with the Dayton Art Institute. The Destino artwork collection – the result of a unique collaboration between Salvador Dali and Walt Disney – is available at Park West Gallery.

Shown above (left to right): Details from Destino Set 4 – #276, 213, 81.

Dayton Art Institute marks its 90th year

Published July 24, 2009 in The Dayton Daily News

DAYTON, OHIO  — It is time for a 90th anniversary and the Dayton Art Institute has reason to celebrate. Two new shows will arrive in October, one of them featuring work by surrealist Salvador Dali in collaboration with Walt Disney.

“Dali and Disney: The Art and Animation of Destino” is on loan from Springboro couple, Dr. Lawrence and Holley Thompson. Their unique collection traces its history back to 1946, when the popular studio hired the famous artist to work on an upcoming feature film.

“Apparently when Dali came to the United States, he immediately identified Walt Disney as being America’s greatest surrealist,” says DAI director Jan Driesbach.

During an eight-month period, Dali produced the paintings, pen-and-ink drawings and storyboards for the short animation piece that was slated to be incorporated into a feature film. But due to financial reasons, the project was axed. Years later, in 1999, Disney’s nephew, Roy, resurrected Destino from the Disney vaults and completed the film in 2003.

The DAI will show both prints of Dali’s art and the animated short in its free exhibit.

Read the full article >>

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Did you know? Park West Gallery recently launched a website dedicated exclusively to artist Salvador Dali! Visit dali.parkwestgallery.com – and be sure to leave a comment below with your feedback!

Related Links:

• For more information about the Dayton Art Institute, visit www.daytonartinstitute.org
• View selections from the Destino artwork collection, available at Park West Gallery sales.parkwestgallery.com

Loyalty and Confidence – Park West Customers Share Their Sentiments

“I just wanted to let you know about the great people you have working for you on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. We have been long time Park West customers, all the way back to when we lived in Michigan. The majority of our purchases have been with the cruise line staff. They are very knowledgeable and helpful.

Destino #64 (Set 1)

Our most recent experience was on Voyager of the Seas, while visiting the Mediterranean. Jackie and her husband Damion were great. We bought 4 pieces. They answered all of our questions. I also saw Jackie dealing with some other passengers; she was very professional. She should be commended.

We also have had a long time relationship with Carrie and her soon to be husband Darko. We had purchased a number of pieces from them as well, including 2 Destinos from the first release. We have kept in touch by email over the years and are trying to set up another cruise, just so we can visit with them and purchase some additional works.

We are probably not your biggest purchasing clients, but we are loyal and confident in the value and Park West stands behind every transaction. Keep up the good work!”

Best regards,

Chuck & Jan K.
Boynton Beach, Florida

Even More Kudos to Park West Gallery!

“It has been two years since my wife, Nancy, and I were on the Carnival cruise ship – enjoying the Bahamas and taking in the the wonderful views of the artwork of Park West Gallery. We have friends and family come over to our house and enjoy the works of Alfred Gockel, Arkady Ostritsky, Anatole Krasnyansky (my favorite artist), Linda Le Kinff, Marcus Glenn, Neil Farkas, Lebadang, Peter Max. You can tell we love our artwork. I remember when I was a custom framer there at Park West over 16 years ago, I met Lebadang in person - a really nice gentleman.

I truly miss the art world and the environment. I watched the Park West Gallery tour video online, the gallery is beautiful. My wife Nancy cannot believe how large and beautiful the gallery is. I hope you could tell Albert he has done a fantastic job on the gallery.”

Best Wishes,

Nathaniel & Nancy R.
Sterling Heights, Michigan

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“I recently bought some beautiful artwork from Park West on the Carnival cruise ship Inspiration. My dealer/auctioneer was Matt – and he was fantastic! He and his assistants Joseph and Carrie were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and made the entire experience one I will never forget. I especially enjoyed the showing of Destino – thanks for bringing it out to the auctions!”

Thank you very much,

Dale H.
Riverview, Florida

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“Thanks Park West!!! My mom and I went on a cruise a few weeks ago and really had a lot of fun with the Park West employees there. We would like to let them know how we appreciated them…. It was Sebastian, Casey and Trevor on the Adventure of the Seas ship with Royal Caribbean.”

Thanks,

Aleesa B.

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“Kudos to Leslie! Leslie, has always treated us with kindness and understanding. She also handled any issues in an expeditious manner. We look forward to working with her in the future.”

Thomas & Louise M.
Hallandale Beach, Florida

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“Thank you so much for responding so quickly and sending out the certificates of authenticity. I have always been very happy with the service Park West has offered. Once again, thank you for your time and diligent efforts.”

Javier G.
Miami, Florida