A Surreal Day at The Dalí Museum in St. Pete, Florida
“If someday I may die, though it is unlikely, I hope the people in the cafes will say, ‘Dali has died, but not entirely.’ – Salvador Dalí
Since my comprehension of art and literature, I’ve remained perpetually fascinated with surrealism and the avant-garde. From film and poetry to fashion and architecture, the surrealist movement has inspired so many facets of my own creative manifestation, as well as in contemporary culture – probably more so than you realize. Especially during this era of uncertainty, our everyday lives can use some enrichment in the form of art, creativity and imaginative thinking.
According to the Tate Museum of Art, surrealism aimed to revolutionize the human experience through rejection of rational vision in favor of dreams and the unconscious mind. The movement’s artists found magic in the unexpected and the unconventional. The word ‘surrealism,’ was defined by André Breton in his Surrealist Manifesto as: “Pure psychic automatism, by which one proposes to express, either verbally, in writing, or by any other manner, the real functioning of thought. Dictation of thought in the absence of all control exercised by reason, outside of all aesthetic and moral preoccupation.”
Many surrealist artists used automatic creation, creation without conscious thought, in order to unlock ideas from the unconscious minds. Surrealism quickly became an international movement in the 1920’s and exerted enormous impact, especially during times of war around the world, when enlightenment and expression was sought after most. Surreal motifs remain persistent across media today and inject depth and whimsy into the mundanity of everyday life.
Although many artists pioneered the surrealist movement, none have maintained their relevance and significance quite like Salvador Dalí. One of the most celebrated artists of all time, Salvador Dalí’s iconic aesthetic and fierce devotion to technique, welcomed a new era of artistic expression. From artworks and sculptures to live animation and even film, Dali always pushed boundaries and was never afraid to pursue passion and risk, demonstrating how rich life can be when pure and unfiltered creativity is embraced.
While you easily research the Spanish artist’s imaginative bounty online or at your local bookstore, there’s nothing quite like physically immersing yourself in the life and mind of Dalí. With only a handful of surrealist-niche museums around the world, the Salvador Dali Museum located in St. Petersburg, Florida is the most comprehensive, housing the largest collection of Dalí's artworks outside of his native Spain.
Image via hok.com
Set overlooking the waters of Tampa Bay, the Dalí Museum is a true work of art in itself that was completed in 2011 (with a price tag upwards of $35 million). The immersive location offers a glimpse into the mind of the of the artist, allowing visitors to explore the life of Salvador Dalí, as well as the journey that led him to being one of the most recognized artists across the globe.
The abstract building housing the museum was designed by Yann Weymouth, who helped create the Louvre’s famous glass pyramid. The curved bubble-like structure is composed of more than 1,000 glass triangles (Weymouth nicknamed the “glass enigma”) and was made to mirror Dali’s precise, yet abstract technique. At the center is a trapezoid with thick walls that can withstand a Category 5 hurricane (an important consideration in this windy Florida city). The interior’s crown jewel is the massive concrete spiral staircase, constructed to resemble a helical DNA structure (a symbol that fascinated Dalí). The glass sphere allows for natural light to filter into the museum in a way that feels dramatic and spacious and provides the ideal lighting for which to view the artworks on display.
The exquisite art collection is made-up of more than 2,000 pieces amassed by the artist’s close friends and late museum founders, Eleanor and A. Reynolds Morse, providing a glimpse into the influences that shaped Dalí’s creative cannon. Exhibitions range from permanent fixtures, such as the iconic melting clocks in The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory (1952-54) and the multi-level oil-painting, The Hallucinogenic Toreador (1968-70), blended with experiential exhibits and Dalí-inspired collections from other artists, the museum offers a comprehensive look into Dalí’s dynamic range.
Currently on display until November 1, Dali’s Sacred Science – Religion and Mysticism, presents five mixed-media print suites, with additional mixed-media objects, that deal with science, religion, mythology, alchemy and mysticism. In these rarely displayed works from the Museum’s vault, Dalí asserts the connection of science with the sacred, of word with image, male with female, the bodily with the divine. Accompanying the visual works, the exhibit also features written texts by Dalí and Sigmund Freud.
“I don’t do drugs. I am drugs.” – Salvador Dalí
Did you know that Salvador Dali’s wife was named Gala? Russian-born Gala lived in Paris at the height of the surrealist movement and would frequent posh cafes full of the city’s most prestigious artists and thought-leaders. Gala met Dalí on a trip to Spain with her husband and fell in love with the artist almost immediately, severing ties with her former lover.
After that trip, Gala joined Dalí on his artistic journey, serving as his partner in life, his muse and business manager. She was also responsible for organizing the day-to-day details of life, allowing Dalí to focus on his art. British collector, Edward James once stated about their relationship, “What a wonderful thing it is for an artist to find exactly the right wife for him. This must only happen once in a hundred times only. It has happened to Dalí and I think it is going to make the entire difference to his career…”
The museum pays individual tribute to Gala with Café Gala, which is designed to create an educational and culinary experience, highlighting Spanish food and history. Café Gala conveys the Dalí’s heritage by offering museum visitors an array of light Spanish fare, including Tapas, traditional pastries, light bites and libations.
As a lover of Dalí, I always admired Gala’s strength, intellect and curiosity for life. Gala actually inspired the creation of GALA Life, so a visit to the Dali Museum is always a wonderful full-circle experience for me.
The recently debuted (and one of my favorite exhibits ever) is At Home with Dalí, a diverse group of portraits captured by five photographers – Horst. P. Horst, Ricardo Sans, Melitó Casals, Lies Wiegman and Robert Descharnes. The nearly 40 images, dating from the 1950s and early 1960s, provide an intimate view of Dalí in his home environment in Spain. These rarely exhibited photos offer an intimate look into Dalí’s personal life. The artist is seen climbing on the rocks of Costa Brava with his wife Gala, relaxing in his Port Lligat home, working on paintings in his studio and more.
After exploring all of the interior exhibits, visitors can embark on some outdoor exploration of the waterfront “Avant-garden,” which was inspired by local flora, as well as Dalí’s fascination with duality, art and nature. The Avant-garden consists of the West Garden, the Grotto and the East Garden, designed with mathematical proportions in reference to Dalí’s belief that mathematics reveal a hidden order in the world. Rocks anchoring the garden reference the rock formations of Dalí’s native Cadaqués, which show up time and time again in the artist’s dreamscape paintings.
Salvador Dalí’s creations drew inspiration from his everyday life, using arbitrary representations as symbolic imagery for deeper emotional themes. Nods to Dalí’s surreal symbolism can be found in design details throughout the museum, like the metal ants crawling up the cascading waterfall at the Grotto, located at the museum’s entrance, a symbol that Dalí used to reference decay, human mortality and impermanence. The Grotto at The Dalí welcomes visitors with cavernous shade, plants and water, symbolizing fertility and growth, with a living green wall covered in moss and air plants.
The garden’s Wish Tree is a massive Ficus with drooping branches, which resemble Dalí’s melting watches. It embodies the transformation Dalí’s works speak of. If this tree could be Dalí’s wish, it equally can carry our wishes. Streaming ribbons and strings, this Ficus is used by visitors as a Wish Tree, where scraps of paper bearing the hopes of visitors can be tied to.
The museum’s array of coveted artworks, coupled with the stunning setting, inspired by the art itself, makes a visit to the Dalí Museum a truly immersive journey into the mind of the surrealist sensation.
Don’t wait to experience a one-of-a-kind day that will transport you to the far reaches of the mind. Be sure to reserve your tickets in advance at thedali.org for a surreal day at the Dali Museum in Downtown St. Pete. The museum is currently open from Wednesday-Thursday, with COVID-19 safety measures in place. You can also download the Dalí Museum app to self-guide your way through the museum without skipping a single story. The Dalí Museum is located at One Dalí Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701.
“There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad.” — Salvador Dalí
Always remember to keep galavanting! xx Alexia