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Walt's schmaltz Not a Mickey Mouse exhibit by KEITH MARCHAND
In post-war America, due to perceived urban sprawl and decay, there was a public desire for safe escapism and Walt Disney seemed to know exactly what the public wanted. In 1955, Disneyland opened to much fanfare (or hype, depending on one's outlook) with live television coverage on ABC with Art Linkletter and Ronald Reagan hosting. It is noteworthy that ABC (which Disney now operates) bankrolled the whole project upon the promise of a weekly TV program hosted by Walt himself. Celebrated as a cherished icon by many and attacked as mindless escapism and rampant consumerism by others--a French critic called Eurodisney "a cultural Chernobyl"--it is surprising that the newest CCA exhibition, The Architecture of Reassurance, is the first ever to examine the origins and evolution of the parks' histories. The show features comprehensive drawings, paintings, plans and models in order to portray the intentions and methods of the Disney method of design--officially called Imagineering. The exhibition is laid out to reflect the lines of the various Disney theme parks (Tokyo, Paris, Orlando and Anaheim) which work on a rigid formula. The outside world is shut out by a protective earth wall with one entrance avenue ushering visitors into the kingdom: Main Street. This leads to a main hub from which various "lands" extend. Like the park, the exhibition features a room for each land (Tommorowland, Frontierland, Fantasyland etc.) in which we are shown the origins and the development of each particular Disney theme. This form of the wagon-wheel plan, architecture on a human scale and easily identifiable vertical landmarks reflect Walt Disney's particular vision of community living inspired by architect and planner Victor Gruen. The Disney plan has indeed been wildly successful at making visitors feel comfortable and in control of the "Magic Kingdom" environments. It is very easy (not to mention fun) to be critical of Disney, but it must be duly noted that they merely supply a product that America and, increasingly, the world seems to crave: a controlled, empty and anaemic form of escapism. Perhaps we should be more concerned about a global culture that is having difficulty separating reality from aggressive market-driven fantasy. The Architecture of Reassurance: Designing the Disney Theme Parks runs until Sept. 28 at the CCA (1920 Baile) |
In a statement drafted for his proposed theme park, one Walter Elias Disney summed up his intentions and indeed his company's longstanding corporate policy: Disney was to be "the essence of America as we know it... the nostalgia of the past, the exciting glimpses of the future..." There was, however, one significant line that had been included but was ultimately scratched out: "...and the complexities of the present."