While “Disney100: The Exhibition” is currently running in Philadelphia, another exhibition, “Walt Disney and El Grupo: A Trip Through Latin America,” has also started its run in Mexico City, Mexico.
About the Exhibition
The exhibition is the first dedicated to Walt Disney’s historic 1941 research trip through several Latin American countries, visiting Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Perú, Chile, Ecuador, and Guatemala, along with a separate visit to Mexico.
Joined by a close group of artists, Walt aimed to learn in-depth about the region, experience the beauty of its land, and celebrate its cultures through future Disney films, and other historic projects celebrating Latin American culture.
The visits inspired the making of 1943’s Saludos Amigos and 1945’s Los Tres Caballeros.
“We are very excited to be able to provide a very unique glimpse into a lesser-known episode on the impact that Walt Disney’s journey through Latin America had on his life and work, as well as on the culture and society of that time,” said Allan Navarrete, Senior Vice President and General Manager, The Walt Disney Company Mexico.
“Walt Disney and El Grupo: A Trip Through Latin America” features over 60 restored photographs, archival footage, film clips, posters from the two feature films, and more than 30 pieces of artwork inspired by the journey.
“We at the Walt Disney Archives are thrilled to share a series of photos that transcend the borders of language and culture. These fascinating photos tell the special story of a group of artists who fell in love with lands far from their own home and were inspired to create films that simply celebrate the global friendship they discovered there,” said Becky Cline, director of Walt Disney Archives.
Walt Disney Archives presents the exhibition in association with the Live Entertainment team of The Walt Disney Company Latin America.
The Itinerary
“Walt Disney and El Grupo: A Trip Through Latin America,” which takes place during Disney’s 100th anniversary, will be available at the Soumaya Museum in Mexico City until Saturday, March 18.
It has free admission to the public. Audio guides and Mexican Sign Language interpretation are also offered.
An expanded version of the exhibition will run at ArtexArte in Buenos Aires, Argentina from March 3 until April 30, 2023. It will also have free admission to the public.
After this, Disney says it will go on a global tour, but locations and dates have not been announced yet.
The original 1941 research trip through Latin America is also explored in the 2008 documentary film, Walt & El Grupo, which is available to stream on Disney+.