As part of the ongoing celebration of Mickey Mouse’s 90 years, an brand new exhibit is opening later this year in New York City. Mickey: The True Original Exhibition will debut on November 8, 2018 and will run through February 10, 2019.
UPDATE (10/9/2018):
Twelve more artists have been confirmed for Mickey: The True Original Exhibition. These talented individuals will showcase Mickey Mouse-inspired artwork in a variety of mediums, from weaving crafts and drawings, to crushed glass and photographs.
The exhibition will feature works by:
- Tanya Aguiñiga: Wall weaving created from plush ears, blankets and textiles
- Daniel Arsham: “Hiding Mickey” protruding wall sculpture based off his work in surreal sculptures (“Hiding Figures”)
- Katherine Bernhardt: Large format wall mural (36’x10’) featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Mickey’s favorite food
- Brian Bress: Video installation featuring the artist in a custom graphic Mickey costume drawing colorful figures
- Oliver Clegg: Oil painting on recycled wood canvas inspired by The Sorcerer’s Apprentice from Disney’s Fantasia
- James Jean: Large, framed photograph prints and hand-drawn illustrations of his Mickey and Minnie Mouse figurine collaboration
- London Kaye: Colorful floor-to-ceiling crochet installation inspired by Disney’s classic short, The Band Concert
- Oliver Payne: Large wall prints of vintage photographs of the Disneyland Resort with Mickey Mouse sticker overlays
- Ariana Papademetropoulos: Watercolor painting inspired by an old photo of a Mickey Mouse figurine on her grandmother’s bedside table
- PEACEMINUSONE: Colorful Mickey Mouse print that will be emerging from behind a layer of dry wall
- Brian Roettinger: Comic-inspired ink graphic wall inspired by iconic Mickey Mouse comic strips
- Keiichi Tanaami: – Large, psychedelic pop-art print framed using wood and crushed glass
- Darren Romanelli, aka DRx: A 3000% Be@rbrick wrapped in reconstructed vintage Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse tees and sweatshirts
- Amanda Ross-Ho: Oversized classic Mickey ringer tee-shirt
- Kenny Scharf: Mickey Mouse classic wristwatch-inspired, neon-infused “Cosmic Cavern”
- Shinique Smith: Large bale sculpture composed of classic Mickey plush and textile
What they’re saying:
- Darren Romanelli: “I’m incredibly excited to bring Mickey Mouse back to New York City where Steamboat Willie premiered. The moment becomes even more special by being able to pair art world legends like Kenny Scharf alongside today’s top emerging artists in an exhibition unlike anything we’ve ever seen. These artists have all been touched by the magic of Disney and the experience will reflect that through and through. I can’t wait for the world to see it all come to life.”
Previously:
About the Exhibit:
- Beginning this fall, Mickey Mouse fans can explore the history of the cultural icon at the Mickey: The True Original Exhibition. Honoring 90 years of magical memories, the new exhibit will highlight Mickey’s “true original” status along with his impact on pop culture and art around the world.
- Mickey: The True Original Exhibition will be run from November 8, 2018 – February 10, 2019 at 60 10th Avenue, New York. Exhibit hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm. Guests can purchase tickets for $38 per person at Disney.com/MickeyTrueOriginal.
- From his beginning in black and white in Steamboat Willie to the technicolor world of more than 100 cartoon shorts, exhibition guests will step into an unforgettable journey of Mickey moments reimagined.
- Curated by designer Darren Romanelli, the exhibit will feature exclusive original artwork from contemporary artists including:
- Kenny Scharf
- Amanda Ross-Ho
- Shinique Smith
- More artists to be announced in the coming weeks
- The experience will captivate the senses to surprise and delight guests, evoking the inspiration, creativity, and true original spirit of Mickey Mouse.
- For more details on the exhibition plus behind-the-scenes content, visit Disney.com/MickeyTrueOriginal and follow @MickeyTrueOriginal on Instagram with #MickeyTrueOriginal.
What they’re saying:
- Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products: “As Walt said, ‘I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse.’” From ‘The True Original Exhibition’ to a year-long celebration in our parks around the world, we are honoring the deep connection that families and fans have made with Mickey and Minnie Mouse for nearly a century.”
- Ken Potrock, President, Consumer Products Commercialization, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products: “We hope guests will enjoy the exhibition’s larger-than-life multimedia art installations, photo-worthy experiences and even a few surprises. “We’ve partnered with the best muralists, sculptors, artists and designers to create original works that convey Mickey’s optimism and imagination.”
- Darren Romanelli LA-based based designer and creative director: “To me, Mickey is reminiscent of everything good from my childhood. As I’ve come into my own as designer, I feel a true sense of passion for this project. Every inch of the experience – from the artists participating to the different mediums featured to the building layout, was thought through with a level of detail and creativity we could only achieve with Mickey Mouse as our muse.”
About the artists:
- Kenny Scharf – Scharf rose to prominence in the early 1980s as a New York street artist and muralist. His interdisciplinary practice consisted of design, sculpture, installations, performance and video as well as painting. From now until September 1, Kenny’s installation will be on display at the Minnesota Street Project, located at 1275 Minnesota St in San Francisco. Inspired by one of Disney’s first licensed products, the Mickey Mouse watch, this Cosmic Cavern is an immersive, day-glo, fluorescent black light world. Kenny Scharf’s work is a surreal journey into his personal connection with the character and the timelessness of both Scharf and Mickey’s contributions to visual culture. Fans at home can experience a 360° tour of the installation at Disney.com/MickeyTrueOriginal.
- Amanda Ross-Ho – Ross-Ho is a Los Angeles-based artist who has exhibited widely, both nationally and internationally including solo exhibitions at Cherry and Martin and The Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles. She has presented large-scale commissioned public work at The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, City Hall Park New York City and the Parcours Sector of Art Basel Switzerland. She will create a large-than-life classic Mickey tee to be on display during Art Expo in Chicago in September.
- Shinique Smith – Known for her monumental sculptural works of bundled fabric and clothing, and her exuberant calligraphic collaged paintings, Smith has been featured in exhibitions and collections of prestigious venues such as Brooklyn Museum, Denver Art Museum, LACMA, MFA Boston, The Frist Center, Kemper Museum and The Whitney Museum among others. Shinique’s installation will honor the impact of the Mickey Mouse plush through decades and will be on display in Los Angeles in October.