Annie Does Disney

Stars Play Out Disney Park Fantasies In New Images
Unveiled by Annie Leibovitz

(get your first peek here, they don't break until March issues)

Photography Featuring Scarlett Johansson, Beyoncé and David Beckham Kicks Off Disney's 'Year of a Million Dreams'

To launch Disney Parks "Year of a Million Dreams" celebration, spectacular new images were unveiled today featuring the work of acclaimed photographer Annie Liebovitz, and starring Scarlett Johansson as Cinderella, Beyoncé taking a spin in a giant teacup and David Beckham slaying a dragon.

Leibovitz's images also fulfill one of Beckham's "dreams," as the Disney Parks project is his first endorsement since signing a contract to play professional soccer in the United States.

In addition to the three debut images, Disney Parks has commissioned more images by Leibovitz that will feature other celebrities in classic, Disney fairy tale settings.

Asked by Disney Parks to lend her vision to the campaign, Leibovitz has created inspired images of storybook fantasy come to life. Her photographs for the campaign embody the captivating, narrative style indicative of her world-renowned work.

"I'm really delighted to be part of the 'Where Dreams Come True' campaign," said Leibovitz. "We live in difficult times and I feel, especially as a parent, that keeping dreams alive is one of the most important things we can do."

Each image features a scene with the featured celebrities transformed into the role of a fabled Disney character, expressing their own dreams and imagination.



* As Cinderella, Scarlett Johansson is seen running down a flight of stairs as the clock strikes midnight with her glass slipper unknowingly left behind. The tagline reads, "Where every Cinderella story comes true."

Befitting a true princess, Johansson wears a stunning, one-of-a-kind Harry Winston tiara – a dazzling piece in platinum with more than 62 carats of sparkling diamonds and valued at $325,000. The dress worn by Johansson is a custom-made, Cinderella-inspired gown designed by Nicoletta Santoro.



* David Beckham plays the part of the gallant Prince Phillip from "Sleeping Beauty," atop his trusted steed fighting the evil dragon. The tagline reads, "Where imagination saves the day."

"There were many Disney characters I liked as a kid," said Beckham. "Now my sons love the Disney characters and it's a big part of their lives, a big part of many children's lives around the world. So to be part of that is an honor and very exciting.

"I love going to Disney, I'm like a big kid," he added.



* Beyoncé appears as "Alice in Wonderland," twirling in a teacup, accompanied by Oliver Platt as the Mad Hatter and Lyle Lovett as the March Hare. The tagline reads, "Where Wonderland is your destiny."

"It's two great imaginations coming together – Disney and Annie Leibovitz," said Lovett. "To be along for the ride really is quite something, just knowing that you're going to be part of a great Disney character. And then when you step into the imagination of Annie Leibovitz, you know you're in another world."

"The 'Where Dreams Come True' campaign is about the imaginations and dreams that are inside us all," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "By capturing these transformational experiences, these emotional images communicate a powerful concept. Working with Annie Leibovitz was a natural fit – Disney is known for immersive storytelling and Annie is a masterful artist whose photos speak volumes."

The campaign premieres as a special insert in the March issues of Vanity Fair, GQ, Vogue, W, The New Yorker, Conde Nast Traveler and Cookie.

As part of the "Where Dreams Come True" initiative, Disney Parks introduced "The Year of a Million Dreams" (Oct. 1, 2006-Dec. 31, 2007). During this 15-month, first-of-its-kind celebration, more than one million very special dreams are being granted to guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. The celebration also is highlighted by the debut of innovative Disney attractions and entertainment spectaculars at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts.

For more information about Disney Parks, "The Year of a Million Dreams" and "Where Dreams Come True," guests may visit www.mydisneyparks.com

First and Ten, time to drink again!

 


With the Super Bowl coming up, I thought this was genius. Designed by Michael Kritzer of Georgia, USA, this is simply one of his interesting product designs that doubles as a problem-solver.

The following is taken from his own personal site:
The beertable is all about fun, relaxing, sports, and, of course, the beer. Designed to be a centerpiece for a sports get together, the beertable offers usable tabletop space for magazines, chips and dip and while isolating the condensing beer in individual insulation containers. The sidebar of the table can even be used as a towel rack for napkins.

Made out of molded plastic, the beertable is a low cost furniture solution that can fit into either a contemporary or modern home. The beertable can also be made in the colors of certain beer companies or even ones favorite sport team to help garner brand loyalty and pride.

The six inverted stainless steel lined containers function as mini insulators to help keep chilled beer nice and cool. The silos can fit almost every standard sized beer bottle and when all six silos are filled with bottles, the resulting look resembles a clean/control esthetic that brings resolution into any room it's placed in.

The beertable relies heavily on the sports theme as a design element. Sunday afternoon football, chips, dip, and once again the beer, are all guiding inspirations for the beertable.

Unfortunately, I think it's only a prototype and is not available for purchase.

But be sure to check out Michael's site, he has lots of wonderful designs and has received many awards.

Today's Best Product Design Pick: Ceramic Cone Speakers

These cone shaped speakers with ceramic housing won the best product design award from Wallpaper magazine for 2006.

Based on the fact that they project upward when lying in the corner of a room and this is optimal from an acoustic standpoint.

Which is what you buy speakers for, right?

Broberg & Ridderstrale

Meet David Tomb. His Artwork Is The Bomb.

above: Still Lives in Living Color, 59" x 58.75" Oil paint, alkyd glaze, pastel on canvas, 1988

Looking to collect work from the next great artist? Here's one.
A California native and resident, Tomb (which DOES rhyme with Bomb) has mounted solo exhibitions at the Fresno Art Museum, and the Artists’ Forum, among others. He has participated in group shows throughout the United States. His work is included in the collections of the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, the Fresno Art Museum, and the Oakland Museum.