Decades ago, Walt Disney and Salvador Dali forged a unique partnership and created a masterpiece that, today, is widely unheard of. For the first time in years, their story is being told and their dream is being brought to life anew.
The Dali Museum, located in St. Petersburg, FL., is currently featuring a new exhibit that is definitely worth checking out. “Disney and Dali: Architects of the Imagination” displays pieces from both of these artistic masterminds and reveals the history behind the magical friendship between the two.
Disney and Dali met at a private engagement in 1945 and almost instantly developed an unshakeable bond based on their unique personalities and common dream. When the friends weren’t visiting each other with family or taking fishing trips, they were collaborating on their masterpiece, a short film called “Destino”, which depicted the unlikely romance between a ballerina and a baseball player.
Unfortunately, due to financial woes brought about by the war, “Destino” was shelved. It wasn’t until 1999 that “Destino” was given the breath of life; Walt’s nephew, Roy Disney, found the lost footage, finished the film, and released it to the world. Aside from inside the Dali Museum gift shop, “Destino” can be viewed as an added bonus feature on the special edition Blu-Ray release of “Fantasia & Fantasia 2000.”
The “Architects of the Imagination” exhibit features a multitude of original sketches, paintings and story boards from both artists, as well as historical film and audio clips and photographs. This breath taking and thought provoking attraction shows patrons that before Disney and Dali inspired the world, they first inspired each other.
The exhibit runs through June 12, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, with hours extended until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Tickets are available to purchase online, starting at $24 for general admission. The price is $17 for students, with a special $10deal for college students onThursdays. A full list of prices, as well as more information about the museum and this particular exhibit can be found on the Dali Museum’s website.
