Disney launches worldwide ‘Create 100’ campaign, supporting Make-A-Wish $1 million – That’s Gaming

97

Today starts ‘Create 100′, a global celebration of creativity marking 100 years of Disney storytelling. Some of the world’s most renowned visionaries and the next generation of talent in fashion, music, art and more have donated artwork, items and experiences. All artists have been inspired by their personal connection to stories and characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and 20th Century. All proceeds from this campaign will be donated to Make-A-Wish. To kick off this campaign, Disney is donating $1 million to Make-A-Wish to support wish fulfillment for children with serious illnesses.

“Disney’s timeless stories and characters have left an indelible mark on pop culture around the world and transcend borders, industries and generations,” says Consumer Products, Games and Publishing President Tasia Filippatos. “We can think of no better way to honor 100 years of Disney storytelling than by partnering with this outstanding collective of visionaries to support Make-A-Wish.”

To kick off the campaign, Disney teamed up with Virgil Abloh Securities to unveil a nearly two-meter-high artwork of Mickey from Disney’s Fantasia at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London. The life-size artwork called “Structural Sorcerer – a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Sculpture” was commissioned by Disney and designed by ALASKA ALASKA. “Paying homage to Virgil Abloh’s legacy, the Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey sculpture draws inspiration from his earlier work and the Mickey Mouse illustration he created in 2018 to celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday,” says the late artist’s wife, Shannon Abloh.

‘Create 100′ aims to inspire and encourage young talent, which is why the “Structural Sorcerer -Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Sculpture” will be on display at the RCA this summer. Virgil Abloh had a close relationship with the RCA, which recently announced a grant in his name to support talented but financially limited black British students. In an ongoing effort to empower the next generation of creators, Virgil Abloh Securities has also engaged multidisciplinary artist Favour Jonathan, who created a sculpture of Dr. Facilier from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. This artwork is also part of ‘Create 100’.

More artworks, items and experiences will be revealed over the summer, including the stories behind them. The ‘Create 100′-contributions include everything from musical elements to comic books to recreations of iconic movie attributes and more. Talents contributing to this campaign include world icon Beyoncé, the famous French fashion designer Christian Louboutin, the Italian Global Creative Director for Swarovski Giovanna Engelbert, the Chinese virtuoso pianist Lang Lang, the American fashion pioneer Tommy Hilfiger and the Brazilian artist Vik Muniz. Global partners such as Adidas, Pandora and Coach will also contribute unique pieces to the celebration.

“Wishes come from the imagination of our wish children and that creative spark inspires us.”, said Luciano Manzo, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish International. “‘Create 100’ demonstrates the power of creativity, which also brings hope. This inspiring initiative will help us grant wishes for children around the world living with critical illnesses. We are so grateful to Disney and all the artists involved for their support.”

For more than 40 years, Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together to grant wishes for more than 150,000 children with serious illnesses worldwide. Life-changing wishes include shopping sprees, studio visits, theme park and resort vacations, cruises, talent meet-and-greets, sports-themed experiences and more. Many Disney cast members are also wish-giving volunteers, parents of wish children or wish alumni themselves.