Grumpy (Disney)
This is part of a larger artwork. See the full artwork series:
A cockeyed pessimist, Grumpy would say he's just realistic - especially about "wimmin!" The other dwarfs and Snow White ignore his negative attitude, sensing that there's warmth beneath his crusty exterior. Though he does his best to hide his affection, even Grumpy is soon captivated by Snow White's charm.
He remains annoyed at having to stand and pose, often turning his back away from the viewer then folding his arms and refusing to play along. In response to a continued and persistent viewer, Grumpy will stick out his tongue and move away. Contrary to the other dwarfs, he is reluctant to imitate and will only pretend to engage in interaction.
The Collection
Images
Information
Year:
2015
Edition:
Edition of 8 + 2 Artist Proofs + 2 Museum Proofs
Materials:
Code, electronics, computer, display screen, 3D sensor, metal, acrylic
Details:
Produced with the support of the Walt Disney Company.
Dimensions in MM:
Dwarf Dimensions:
680 (W) x 680 (H) x 150 (D) mm
Dimensions in INCHES:
Dwarf Dimensions:
26.8 (W) x 26.8 (H) x 5.9 (D) inches
Context
"Collaboration came first [in the relationship with Disney]. They had seen the Ruffled artworks and I think they were amused, and impressed at how I made the birds come alive. The birds are playful, charming and silly but they also display their own unique, individual characteristics. So Disney said that every now and then they like to allow artists to work directly with Disney’s property and the reference they gave me was actually Hirst’s Mickey and Minnie spot painting. And, basically, was I interested. So it was an easy one to answer. I was absolutely delighted at the prospect of doing this. And by then I had created two pieces for them, using their characters, which are obviously the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the Mickey and Minnie artworks. And in doing so, I have become the only digital artist exhibiting in museums and exhibitions who is allowed to use Disney’s classic characters. And it’s something I take very seriously; I’m actually delighted with it. I feel it is very important to treat the characters with the utmost fidelity and I believe that my role as the artist is to respect where the characters come from but then to redefine them in a new story, a new narrative: something that pays homage to the incredible talent of Walt Disney who created these characters almost a century ago, but which also portrays a new storyline.
If you take the Mickey and Minnie artwork, it is absolutely loaded with symbolism. And part of that was a response to the fact that Mickey and Minnie are unique characters within the Disney family because they are permitted to recognise the world around them. Mickey and Minnie can understand the difference between London and New York. In the way they’re depicted in the films that Disney produced Mickey can even role-play, he can put on a costume, so there’s something incredibly liberating about these characters." - Dominic Harris
Extract from interview with Dominic Harris by Simon Quintero.