UDIT organises an exhibition that looks at the influence of ancient art and archaeology on Walt Disney's production.
UDIT, University of Design, Innovation and Technology will host the exhibition "To Egypt with Disney" from 11 to 16 December at its Campus located at Calle Colombia, 44.
The exhibition, organised by the Official University Degree in Animation at UDIT, has two objectives: firstly, to analyse the influence of ancient art and archaeology on Disney's production and, secondly, to observe how the company's production evolved over almost a century of history as a result of the great archaeological discoveries in Egypt during the 20th century.
The exhibition, which will occupy a space of more than 300m2 on the UDIT Campus, is the result of research, compilation and study of the production history of the Disney company, carried out by María Luz Mangado, PhD in Egyptology and PhD in the Near East and curator of the exhibition, in collaboration with Manuel Sirgo, director of the Degree in Animation at UDIT.
According to María Luz Mangado, "Walt Disney made art and was a genius. Through his gifts he wanted to draw a smile and make many children and several generations happy. The works on display here come from all over the world. It has been an arduous task of locating and researching pieces and publications on all continents".
For Manuel Sirgo, "from UDIT we invite all Animation lovers to know how Disney immortalised in a century all the historical eras of man and how, in the light of his legacy, he showed a special fascination for the pharaohs, ancient art and archaeological discoveries".
Egypt's influence on Disney
From the first Walt Disney production, Egyptian Melodies, as part of the Silly Symphonies series in 1931, to the performance of Aida in 2007 and 2008, visitors can travel to the land of the pyramids and learn about the life of the ancient pharaohs. And they will do so through Disney's filmography, his stories, educational books and encyclopaedias, toys, original drawings of exceptional beauty... but also through handcrafted figures, posters, photograms, albums, letters, photographs, engravings and music, among many other elements.
An endless number of objects, including stamps, envelopes, coins, banknotes, embroidery, not forgetting the iconic Disney parks, alternating with works from the Pharaonic period which inspired this extensive production.
With this exhibition, visitors will learn about the types of burials of the inhabitants of the Nile - pyramids, mastabas and rock-hewn tombs -, the life and customs of the pharaohs, mummification, the worship of the gods and the great archaeological explorations and discoveries...
The most significant events in the 20th and early 21st centuries that have had an impact on humanity. XXI that have impacted humanity and that Disney reflects in a singular way in this vast production are: the discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922, the great archaeological campaigns that nourish museums and collections all over the world, the transfer of the temples of Abu-Simbel and the construction of the Aswan dam from 1960 onwards; the Indiana Jones saga, associated with the myth of the archaeologist discoverer of ancient treasures, made during the 80s, the legend of the mystery and the curse of the mummy.
This is a unique opportunity to learn about great pharaohs such as Ramses II, Tutankhamun, Akhenaton and Cleopatra, papyrus writing, funerary treasures, mummification, the power of amulets and the gods, and the life of archaeologists.
In addition, during the week in which the exhibition is held, the Auditorium of the UDIT University Campus will also host two round tables in which a journey through the different productions of the Disney factory linked to pharaonic culture over a century of history will be made.
María Luz Mangado Alonso, curator of the Exhibition
María Luz Mangado Alonso (Pamplona, 1967) holds a PhD in Egyptology and specialises in the legacy of Spain in the Holy Land. She has studied at the University of Navarra, the University of Barcelona, the Autonomous University of Barcelona, La Sapienzia University in Rome, the Sorbonne University in Paris, and has carried out post-doctoral studies in Egypt, Denmark, Belgium and the USA.
Throughout his career he has curated several exhibitions of Egyptian and Coptic art, as well as national and Middle Eastern heritage from various European and Middle Eastern collections and museums. He has been part of excavation teams in Spain, Italy, Egypt and Israel. She is a lecturer at several universities and the author of numerous scientific publications in the fields of Egyptology, biblical history, early Coptic Christianity, Spanish relations with the Holy Land and religious artistic heritage. She is a member of several international research teams as a researcher at the Spanish Biblical and Archaeological Institute in Jerusalem-House of St James, a member of the international team for the study of the Holy Shroud of Turin EDICES, and co-director of research on animal mummies at the University of Navarre.
