Images courtesy of Disney/Pixar
Los Angeles, Calif. - Route 66 ends this year at Fairfax and Wilshirewith the launch of a special exhibition "The Art of Cars," thefirst-ever creative collaboration between Pixar Animation Studios andthe Petersen Automotive Museum www.petersen.org. "The Artof Cars" showcases the artistic process behind the creation of theanimated feature film Cars. The exhibit will run from March 29 throughNovember 2, 2008.
Inspired by a family trip and his overwhelming love for cars, DirectorJohn Lasseter's enthusiasm seeped into every detail of the movie. Lasseter and his team enlisted some of today's most famous automotivepersonalities to give life to the vehicles, including Paul Newman (DocHudson) and racing legends Mario Andretti (as himself), Richard Petty(The King), Michael Schumacher (Ferrari), even Darrell Waltrip and BobCostas (announcers). "The Art of Cars" exhibit guides fans through theprocess of creating the films' many characters, personalities, andlocations.
"When we started working on Cars, I knew that getting the details rightwould be essential to the story," says Lasseter. "The spirit of Route66 is in every scratch on a fender and every curl of paint on aweathered billboard. Pixar is honored to partner with the PetersenAutomotive Museum on the 'The Art of Cars' exhibit, so that the publiccan experience firsthand our passion for the movie through our artists'eyes."
"The Art of Cars" exhibit includes more than 60 watercolor and pasteldrawings, pencil and marker sketches, and a variety of three-dimensionalpieces, including:
* Life-size replicas of the movie's main characters: LightningMcQueen and his tow-truck buddy, Mater
* Three-dimensional maquettes of Mater, Doc Hudson, Sally, and TheKing, which were used as reference to guide animators when drawingtheir characters
* Illustrated character studies that illuminate the development ofsupporting characters Flo and Ramone, Luigi and Guido, Fillmore, Sarge,DJ, and Wingo
* Digital, pencil, and marker sketches interpreting the cars' eyes,gestures, and expressions
* Pencil and marker drawings of the fictional Los Angeles MotorSpeedway, Sally's "Cozy Cone" motel, and iconic diners, curio shops, andservice stations based on actual locations along "The Mother Road"
* Pastels, watercolors, and pencil sketches of such scenic vistas asOrnament Valley, Cadillac Range, and Radiator Cap Butte, based onfamiliar landmarks as Arizona's Monument Valley rock formations and theCadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
"It's been our pleasure working with John Lasseter and his team tocreate 'The Art of Cars' exhibit" says Dick Messer, Executive Directorof the Petersen Automotive Museum. "This movie was very special to meand many other car nuts I know--young and old--because of the way itentertains with real-life references to the racing industry withnon-stop action and more than 100 years of automotive history."