Artifacts: Labeling Exercise

The following is a continuation of an imaginary exercise that I will be building on during the Fall quarter.

Exhibit 1:

• Title: “Celebrating Lilo & Stitch: 25 Years Later”

• Institutional Site: Walt Disney Archives

• Audience: General Public

• Label: While this 10” rubber Lilo doll may look like many others from the release of this well-loved film, this particular doll was a gift from Walt Disney Animation to one of the children used as a live reference for the characterization of Lilo. The well-worn paint, matted hair, and smudges from small, dirty hands illustrate a long life of being cherished by the young girl, as many other dolls like it would. This doll stands both as a symbol of a child’s affection for Lilo and also provides a tangible connection to the traditional art of hand-drawn animation. Live references and models for animators have significantly diminished since the rise of computer animation, making this young girl's role in creating Lilo & Stitch a relic of its time period. As technology continues to advance, artifacts like this Lilo doll become increasingly valuable in preserving the heritage and history of the art of animation.  

Exhibit 2:

• Title: “The Animation Process: From Kinematograph to 3D CGI”

• Institutional Site: The Academy Museum

• Audience: General Public

• Label: Animators' creative processes have significantly shifted and changed throughout the years. While some techniques have stayed the same, others have remained isolated in their own time. This 10” Lilo & Stitch doll from 2002 represents an era in the Disney Animation process that was active for most of its history until the late 2000s—the use of live references. As indicated by the well-worn condition of this artifact, this Lilo doll was a cherished gift to a girl by the Disney Animators in 2002. She received this gift for being a live reference for the characterization and movement of Lilo during the film's production. The use of live references, where actors or individuals act out scenes to provide visual and movement references for animators, was a common practice in traditional animation. This method allowed for a more realistic and lifelike portrayal of characters' movements and expressions. The transition to digital animation marked a significant shift in the animation process, leading to a decreased reliance on live references. Despite this shift, the legacy of using live references in animation remains an important part of the history and evolution of the art form.

Exhibit 3:

• Title: “Childhood in the 2000s”

• Institutional Site: Museum of Childhood

• Audience: Identify the target audience for this exhibit.

Label: Times were changing as the century did, and the early 2000s marked the rise of many technological advancements. However, despite the influx of tech in the market, many children at the time were still dedicated to toys that resembled their grandparents’ in form. The doll featured here is a 2002 10” Lilo Doll from the 2002 release of the Disney Animated film Lilo & Stitch. As you can see, this doll was not just a display item but an object of deep affection for the young girl who owned it. The paint is worn and peeling from the painted sandals. The red tropical dress has faded and is dirty from ages of play. Even the hair is matted and tangled into a permanent wind-worn look. This doll represents the presence of physical and unplugged toys during what would be a time defined by new and upcoming tech.