Daniel Prada was born in Madrid in 1978. Passionate about science fiction, he collected objects of all kinds from his childhood, but it was during adolescence that the dark side seduced him definitively and that he concentrated all his energy on the acquisition of pieces from the Star Wars ™ universe. In 2009, he emigrated to Los Angeles in search of new challenges and moved closer to the epicenter of the galactic movement where he completed his collection. Back in Europe, he recently organized with the help of LetsGoCompany and Velvet a first series of exhibitions in Spain “La Saga de las Galaxias” (La Saga des Galaxies) which he will teleport to the Center Expo Lafayette Drouot in Paris from December 6, 2018.
Interview with Daniel Prada, Collector
DANIEL, HOW DID YOU START THIS COLLECTION?
I had to undergo many operations during my childhood. At the age of 8, my parents had to keep me awake for an entire night for the proper performance of a medical test. To hang in there, they took me to a store to find movies that would help me not to fall asleep. I chose the Star Wars ™ trilogy. I watched the 3 films in loop. It was about intergalactic warfare, Jedi, Sith lords, … The story was complex, but I was fascinated by this rich universe and its captivating characters. A few days later, I celebrated my birthday and I was offered my first two figurines. These two pieces are still featured in the exhibition.
HOW DID THE IDEA FOR THIS EXHIBITION COME ABOUT?
In the city where I live, in Spain, everyone knows my passion for Star Wars ™. The Department of Culture suggested that I exhibit my collection of pieces to introduce them to the inhabitants of the city. I liked the idea and the enthusiasm of the public was such that since then, I have been traveling this exhibition around the world.
IS THERE SOMETHING THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW BEFORE COMING TO THE EXHIBITION?
In 2017, Spanish social networks elected us “Best Star Wars ™ Exhibition”. I am very proud of this distinction because it rewards the work of a lifetime. But above all, it rewards the teams that allowed me to give birth to this exhibition, all the artists, craftsmen and genius creators who designed and manufactured these incredible pieces. Obviously, the better you know the Star Wars ™ universe, the more you will benefit from it, because the exhibition contains details and winks that will not escape the fan.
HOW MANY YEARS DID YOU TAKE TO GATHER YOUR CURRENT COLLECTION?
I started in 1986 and I will probably continue until the day of my death (laughs).
CAN YOU GIVE FIVE REASONS NOT TO MISS THIS EXPO?
> The quality of all the parts for sure : they are truly impressive.
> The concept of global experience : “Les Fans Contre-Attaquent” is not a simple museum dedicated to “Star Wars ™”, it is a real journey into the universe of the saga.
> The scenography which has been the subject of particular attention.
> Unique pieces in the world that only this exhibition offers and real human encounters between fans and the curious.
> The exhibition has been presented in several major cities in Spain (Barcelona, Alicante, Burgos, Granada, Pamplona, Avila, Vigo, Valladolid, Madrid, A Coruña), but never with a dimension as spectacular as the one you can discover in Paris.
