Displaying more than 2,000 pieces by Salvador DalÃ, the Dalà Museum showcases an unparalleled collection of the surrealists' work in a building fitting of the unusual artist. Full of surprising shapes and the juxtaposition of smooth surfaces against curved glass sculptures, The Dalà Museum invites curious art enthusiasts to wander out of St. Petersburg (Florida) past the Avant-Garden, and into an entirely different world: the world of Salvador DalÃ.
Home to a hefty permanent collection and exhibits from worldwide collections, as well as cultural lectures and a virtual reality experience, the museum is a trip into the mind of DalÃ. But it can be quite the rollercoaster ride as curve balls are thrown at visitors at every corner.
“In addition to his astounding depth of technique, his images beg to be deciphered,” said Marketing Director Beth Bell. “As you view them, you can’t help but contemplate the meaning and wonder what inspired the piece. And then when you do learn about the meaning behind the works, it’s incredible to discover how he could relay the subconscious through the work itself.”
To help visitors understand the one-of-a-kind images before them, the museum also offers free docent tours.
The Dali Helical staircase inside the museum. [Photo Credit: Salvador Dali Museum Inc, St. Petersburg, FL]
“Our docent Kay Bronstein made Dali’s work come alive,” said Trip Advisor user Mark Boca in a five-star review. “She highlighted details in Dali’s works that we never might have seen, and continually explained the influence and theme of other artists. A superb docent like Kay can transform a museum visit. Be sure to take advantage of this free feature during your time in the Dali.”
One of the most recognizable surrealists in history, DalÃ's work even provokes emotion and wonder even when the piece is supposedly exactly what the title suggests.
“Guests particularly enjoy the illusion of Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea Which at Twenty Meters Becomes the Portrait of Abraham Lincoln,” said Bell. “As the name suggests, when guests are up close to the painting they see a beautiful image of DalÃ’s wife looking out onto the sea, but at a distance or through the lens of a camera, the image transforms into a portrait of Abraham Lincoln.”
This is one of several masterworks (massive scale pieces) found in The DalÃ, including The Hallucinogenic Toreador and The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.
Explained Bell: “His combination of incredible realism mixed with the depth of his imagination is unparalleled. The dream-like imagery he created really invites viewers to explore beyond what they see in front of them.”
The Dalà Museum is one of the only places on earth where you can stare at a painting of Abraham Lincoln, titled ...Portrait of Abraham Lincoln and still be left wondering, “What does this really mean?” Because it stirs up emotion in you the longer you look at it. The colors and shapes invoke unexplained vibes that leave the viewer uncertain. That's the power of DalÃ.
After working at the museum for a little over a year, Bell realized that DalÃ’s body of work spans far beyond his surrealist paintings.
“I was fascinated by how his career embodied so much more than just painting. I was very familiar with him as a painter, but his creativity went far beyond the oils,” explained Bell. “He was extremely versatile and throughout his career, he successfully turned to sculpture, fashion, writing, film, printmaking, advertising and even jewelry.”
Of course, The Dalà Museum hosts these as well.
A particular sculpture that stands out to Bell is The Aphrodisiac Telephone, a 1938 piece that features a lobster on top of a dial telephone. By juxtaposing two completely different things to “create a new reality,” said Bell, “this object is both absurd and fun at the same time.”
In addition to the outlandish and exquisite permanent collection of Abraham Lincoln paintings and lobster sculptures, the Museum showcases frequent exhibits, like the “Magritte & DalÔ exhibit that opens Dec. 15. Running until May 19, 2019, this exhibition is a dedication to the world's most celebrated surrealists, René Magritte and Salvador DalÃ.
“In addition to exploring the artists’ shared themes and divergent artistic approaches,” explained Bell, “visitors are invited to contemplate and photograph the show’s unique interactive spaces inspired by the works and imaginations of Magritte and DalÃ.”
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