4th June 2007
Work on the animation, 'Destino' by Salvador Dali started in 1946 and was finally completed in 2003.
The project was started by Walt Disney in the 1940s and it is argued that the project was dropped due to Walt believing that it was too peculiar.
The original designs and storyboards for the animation stayed at Disney in the archives until seven years ago when Disney projected images from, 'Destino' behind the actress Bette Midler as she introduced the re-master of 'Fantasia' (a Disney music animation).
After this stunt, a lawyer brought to Disney's attention that 'Destino' could only become the outright property of Disney studios once it was completed, otherwise it would breach the legal agreement set at the animation's start date back in the 1940s.
Disney ordered the work to be completed on the animation. Using the original designs and storyboards, John Hench (a studio animator who worked with Dali) completed the seven minute animation.
The film includes iconic Dali imagery including elephants, dancers and gods all with a surreal twists and a magical beauty.
The animation is currently being shown at London’s Tate Modern gallery until September 9th 2007.