Rolly Crump: It’s Kind of a Cute Story

ROLLY CRUMP: IT’S KIND OF A CUTE STORY

August 26, 2017–February 18, 2018

Curated By Bob Self

This exhibition invites the public to step into the whimsical mind of dreamer and designer Rolly Crump with the world premiere of a walk-through exhibition highlighting his 65-year career as one of the most imaginative attraction creators in theme park history. As a nonconformist member of Walt Disney’s hand-picked Disneyland design team, Crump was the eccentric architect of endearing and enduring environmental art installations that have stood at the forefront of a vibrant pop-culture landscape for over half a century.  Crump’s contributions to It’s a Small World, The Enchanted Tiki Room, The Haunted Mansion, and other Disneyland attractions were trendsetting at the time of their creation, and they remain entirely relevant today in a multibillion-dollar industry that has grown perpetually and exponentially from the creative seeds planted by Crump and his peers. From his days within Disney’s inner circle of pioneers, and throughout all of his personal and professional endeavors, Crump has been a good-natured contrarian—a visual provocateur who infused each of his projects with his own offbeat aesthetic. This will be a journey through a world of spinning propellers, marching toys, living clocks, and talking tikis. Museum-goers of all ages will encounter magic, humor, and inspiration at every turn. Crump is a master of the fine art of fun. 


This exhibition is supported by Mary Scherr and Marvin Sippel.

PROGRAMS RELATED TO THIS EXHIBITION


EXHIBITION AUDIO TOUR

Starting on December 22, 2017, the 30-minute audio chronicles the exhibition and offers insight and humor to the experience. 

Many thanks to Ken Kebow for his work on the audio. His biography of Rolly Crump, The Whimsical Imagineer, is available on DVD in the Museum Store.

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