Interesting article that will make some of us think about the ultimate futures of our collections. In essence, Disney put together a touring exhibition of amazingly beautiful pieces of animation art, mostly from Sleeping Beauty but also including complete set-ups (cels + original backgrounds) going back to Disney's first landmark productions. This was sent to Japan in 1960 to promote a release of Sleeping Beauty, and was exhibited at a number of department stores. Then, the article continues,
Now, of course, the art is recognized as both commercially valuable and historically important; yet after being restored and taken on yet another tour of Japan, the whole collection is being returned to the Disney Studios because the owner, Chiba University, is concerned about its ability to maintain them for the next generation.After the department store tour, Disney donated the artwork to the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo. But the material was not considered a good fit for its permanent collection, so the museum gave the pieces to Chiba University to enhance the study of the visual arts.
Chiba’s academic focus was on science, engineering and medicine, however, and the Disney art was consigned to a janitor’s closet and forgotten until it was found by chance four years ago. Although the artwork suffered some damage because of dampness, the rarest pieces were sealed in frames, which protected them somewhat.
Hmmmm ... I have wondered what will happen to my own collection after it passes from me. It's true that it's somewhat unstable, and that trace lines have a way of fading and paint cracking or bleeding. I've thought about making an archive or museum its final destination -- but don't like the idea of it getting passed around as an ugly stepsister to a "real" contemporary art collection, and ultimately being allowed to mold and fade in a cellar closet somewhere. Does anyone else have this reaction?
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