Artifacts: Proposal Exercise

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

I am writing to advocate for the acquisition of an artifact that would significantly enrich the Lilo & Stitch collection preserved at the Disney Consumer Products Archive and the greater Walt Disney Archive as a whole. As Archivist for Disney Consumer Products, I oversee the development and curation of artifacts that our company has produced over its history. While our collection focuses on artifacts in new condition, I believe there is a vital gap in omitting the cultural and emotional weight of items that have been used, handled, and, perhaps most significantly, loved. In line with our mission “to collect, preserve, and make available for research the history of Walt Disney and the company he founded, so that it can continue to inspire artists, audiences, dreamers, and doers of all ages,” I contend that this artifact embodies a piece of Disney’s history that deserves preservation.

The artifact I am proposing is a 2002 Lilo doll, which was gifted to the donor for her participation as a live model for the animator during the production of Lilo & Stitch. The donor, one of the few children brought in as a reference for our animators at the Burbank studio, has cherished this doll for 22 years. It bears unmistakable signs of years of love: matted hair, painted shoes that are almost worn off, and small teeth marks on the rubber hands and feet. In evaluating the value of this artifact, I have established criteria that align with the mission of our Archive. Beyond meeting the essential qualification of being produced by the Walt Disney Company, this doll offers insight into the historical context of the making of Lilo & Stitch. It is a tangible artifact of a now largely abandoned practice of using live models for hand-drawn animation—a practice once central to the Disney Animation creative process. In this way, the doll not only complements the artifacts we already possess but also fills a gap in our preservation of how Disney animated films were brought to life. 

Moreover, along with its historical context, this artifact tells a personal story. The wear on the doll’s condition speaks of a deep, emotional attachment—evidence of how Disney products have become beloved by their consumers. These marks of love and use would expand our Archive’s documentation of how Disney products are not merely commodities but objects of affective value to the “dreamers and doers of all ages” who access our archives. This doll, with its unique history and the emotional value it holds for the donor, has the potential to resonate with fans, providing a deeper connection to the film's legacy. 

In conclusion, acquiring this artifact would not only enhance the Lilo & Stitch collection but also serve as a poignant link between the film's production process and the enduring emotional resonance that Disney products hold for consumers. This meaningful connection would not only enrich the collection but also provide an opportunity for fans to engage with Lilo & Stitch's legacy on a deeper level.

*Mission Statement via  “Inside the Walt Disney Archives – Graceland Exhibition Center.” D23, November 16, 2021. https://d23.com/inside-the-walt-disney-archives-graceland-exhibition-center/.