Barcelona Photoblog: dali
Showing posts with label dali. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dali. Show all posts

May 01, 2014

Ceiling Frescoes by Salvador Dali at Palace of the Wind, Dali Museum

Ceiling Fresco at Salvador Dali Museum
Ceiling Fresco at Salvador Dali Museum




These giant dancing feet by Salvador Dali can be admired at the ceiling of Palace of the Wind in the Dali Museum of Figueres and they date back to 1972 - 73 when the museum was built upon the remains of the former Figueres theatre. 

Date
1972-1973
Technique
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
114 x 570cm
Location
Dalí Theatre-Museum



Palacio del Viento

Dalí created this painting in his workshop in Portlligat, but it was eventually placed on a large scaffolding and installed in his Theatre-Museum. On the first floor of the town theater, the Sala Palau del Vent (‘Wind Palace Room’) was the site of Dalí’s first exhibition in 1919. The painting is based on the poem "L'Empordà" by Joan Maragall, which alludes to the Empordà region of Spain and the tramontana, a strong wind that blows through the region.

In the center of the painting, Dalí depicts himself and Gala in a forced perspective, creating an allegorical representation of the different stages of his life. The painting can be seen as a kind of idyllic journey through Dalí's dreamlike memories. At the end of the painting, Dalí again depicts himself and Gala, this time contemplating the ship of destiny that is about to depart.

Some of the key elements of the painting include:

  • A rain of gold coins falling on the viewer, which Dalí claimed was one real coin.
  • A reference to Lullian wheels, a type of symbol used by the Catalan mystic Ramon Llull.
  • Elephants with insect limbs.
  • The outlined silhouettes of the princes of Spain, who are the current king and queen of Spain.
  • The silhouette of the photographer and friend of Dalí, Melitó Casals, "Meli."

The painting is a complex and allegorical work that offers a unique glimpse into Dalí's life and work. It is a masterpiece of Surrealist art, and it is one of the most important works in the Dalí Theatre-Museum.

Salvador Dalí's painting The Palace of the Wind is a complex and enigmatic work that is full of symbolism. It was created between 1969 and 1973 for the ceiling of the "sala nobile" or rest room of the old municipal theatre in Figueres, Spain. The painting is now on display in the Dalí Theatre-Museum, which is housed in the same building.

The painting consists of five panels, each of which is filled with images that are both familiar and strange. The central panel depicts a large, golden sun that is surrounded by a swirling vortex of clouds. The clouds are populated by a variety of figures, including a woman with a long neck, a giant lobster, and a group of musicians. The other panels depict a variety of other scenes, including a landscape with a castle, a seascape with a boat, and a cityscape with a cathedral.

The Palace of the Wind is a visually stunning work that is full of Dalí's signature surrealist imagery. The painting is a testament to Dalí's incredible imagination and his ability to create images that are both beautiful and disturbing.

The Creation of the Painting

Dalí began working on The Palace of the Wind in 1969, shortly after the purchase of the old municipal theatre in Figueres. The theatre was originally built in 1847, but it had fallen into disrepair by the time Dalí acquired it. Dalí planned to transform the theatre into a museum dedicated to his work, and The Palace of the Wind was to be one of the centerpieces of the museum.

Dalí worked on the painting in several different stages. The first panel was completed in 1970, and it was hoisted into place on the ceiling of the sala nobile on November 13, 1970. The painting was taken down the next day, however, so that the restoration of the theatre could continue.

Dalí continued working on the painting in his studio at Portlligat during 1971-72. He completed the central part of the painting during this time, and he also added the side panels. The entire painting was finally put in place on the ceiling of the sala nobile in 1972 but officially declared completed by the author in 1973.

The Symbolism of the Painting

The symbolism of The Palace of the Wind is complex and has been interpreted in many different ways. Some scholars believe that the painting is a representation of the Empordà region of Spain, where Dalí was born and raised. The Empordà is a region that is known for its winds, and the swirling vortex of clouds in the painting could be seen as a representation of the region's strong winds.

Other scholars believe that the painting is a more personal allegory, representing Dalí's own life and work. The central panel of the painting depicts a large, golden sun that is surrounded by a swirling vortex of clouds. The sun could be seen as a representation of Dalí himself, while the clouds could be seen as representing the challenges and obstacles that he faced in his life.

The other panels of the painting depict a variety of other scenes, including a landscape with a castle, a seascape with a boat, and a cityscape with a cathedral. These scenes could be seen as representing different aspects of Dalí's life and work. The castle could be seen as a representation of Dalí's childhood home, while the seascape could be seen as a representation of his travels. The cityscape could be seen as a representation of his life in Barcelona and Figueres.

The Legacy of the Painting

The Palace of the Wind is one of Dalí's most famous paintings, and it is a centerpiece of the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres

Please check this other post about the Mae West Room.

November 28, 2013

Artistic Postcards or Reproductions of Dali Paintings Near Dali Museum, Figueres, Girona.

Artistic Postcards Dali Museum [enlarge]

It is not strange to find stands outside museums with people selling their 'artwork', on many occasions, artwork, directly related to what is displayed inside the museum. In this case, we are talking about the Dali Museum in Figueres, Girona. Just next to the main entrance, there was this nice fellow selling these small postcards or painting reproductions featuring Salvador Dali and his works. I am not sure about some of them, I am not a Dali expert but you can see Portrait of Picasso, the Meditative Rose and Young Virgin Autosodomized by Her Own Chastity. Yes, strange name indeed. I like the way the reproductions compose a single collage. Do you find any other work of Dali here that you know of?

October 29, 2013

The Mae West Room at Dali Theatre-Museum in Figueres, Catalonia

Mae West Room by Dali

Today's image was taken at the Museu Dali and it is not a painting but an illusion created by Salvador Dali expressly for the Theater Museum in Figueres (province of Girona, Catalonia).

This work, is indeed based upon one of his paintings: Mae West's Face which May be Used as a Surrealist Apartment, 1934–35.

Mae West had a clear influence on the Catalan artist, particularly in the movie called: She Done Him Wrong (1933) by Lowell Sherman, where she plays a very seductive saloon owner. An important part of the illusion, in the foreground of the composition, are those lips that reminds of a cozy sensual couch, that slightly resembles a wood-and-satin piece of furniture by Dali known as The Mae West Lips Sofa (1937) although that one was pink, or better said, "shocking pink" as the lipstick shade inspired by the actress, developed by fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli.

For those of you who have not visited the Dali Museum yet, let me tell you that to see the face you have to climb a small set of stairs and look through a sort of circular magnifying glass to better appreciate the isolated objects that integrate the composition.

Salvador Dali, was born in this location in 1904 and was even baptized in the church right in front of the museum. Nevertheless, he did not spend all his life in his hometown.

Dali studied at the Academia de San Fernando (School of Fine Arts) in Madrid in 1922 although he was suspended later, but not for academic reasons. He went many times to Paris and was influenced by Picasso, among other artists. All in all, he became world known as a surrealist artist in the period that goes from 1929 to 1937 in which he produced many of those paintings we admire so much today, such as ‘The Persistence of Memory’ (1931). Yes, the one with the melting watch!

The artist also visited the United States where he lived for eight years with his wife Gala. From 1950 to 1970 his works included new themes, on many occasions, of religious nature but also erotic or recalling his childhood as in previous years. Gala was also present in his paintings often. After she died in 1982, he was no longer the same, and his health was affected by a motor disorder until his death in 1989. 

October 01, 2008

Dali, Artist, Star and Icon

Dali, Artist, Star and Icon [enlarge]

There are artists who have to wait until death to become famous, others are worshipped long before they even grow old. Such is the case of Salvador Dalí. Not only because of his surrealist paintings, his sculptures, his drawings. Not even for his multifaceted creativity in other areas like fashion, photography, theater or jewelry! Not just for that overwhelming legacy. He was also widely known for his eccentricity. And every eccentric carries his own cohort of detractors chewing on his bones and flesh like worms in a sort of symbiotic relationship. Relevant personalities and experts that get their moment of glory by feeding on crumbles left by the host and unknowingly magnifying his fame. Of course this is not always the case. But Dali and his genius, put a blemish on the bad reviews of all those who did not have the vision that only a gifted mind can give you. As talent always wins over mediocrity and shortsightedness. Dali the artist and Dali the star, altogether have evolved into a new parasite-proof living organism: Dali the icon. It is very hard to libel on icons. Once they reach the "divine" category your words may become heretical. By the way, I almost forget, this balcony you probably have seen at the end of Las Ramblas, near Columbus monument. There was this man painting on canvas. First I thought the other guy was his model but the female figure on the painting clearly discarded him. I would like to know how much was that huge Dali painting to the left? Bidding is open.

Unlike recent posts, in this one I am going to stick to the subject regarding suggested links. An icon is an icon and I don't want to sound apocryphal. Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the Salvador Dali Museum.

August 26, 2008

Dali Standing on Barcelona Balcony

Dali Standing on Barcelona Balcony [enlarge]

On the balcony of the Reial Circle Artistic de Barcelona there is this cardboard image of Salvador Dalí. This cultural institution is located at Carrer dels Arcs 5. Follow link above for a previous post.

July 21, 2008

Dali and Gaudi Souvenirs, Stall at Portal de L'Angel, Barcelona

Dali and Gaudi Souvenirs, Stall at Portal de L'Angel, Barcelona [enlarge]

Another stall at Portal de L'Angel, one of the richest streets in Barcelona. This time selling Dali and Gaudi souvenirs. A couple of days ago I showed you the stand next to this one.


April 17, 2008

Salvador Dali and Disney Studios

Salvador Dali and Disney Studios - Elephant souvenirs

Surrealist elephants standing on impossible legs that remind you of Don Quixote's famelic horse Rocinante or ghostly Dumbo's pink elephants could only be imagined by the twisted and brilliant mind of the most peculiar painter of modern times, Salvador Dalí. In this shop at carrer Ferran you may buy yourself an exclusive souvenir, a Dalinian symbol to impress your friends at home. In case they ask, tell them that you bought it because you are an expert on Dali and somebody stole your "The Elephants" (1948), "the Temptation of St Anthony" (1946), "Atomica Melancholica" (1945) and/or "Triumph of Dionysus" (1953) and you miss them so much that you need a keepsake to mitigate your grief. Now that you are at it, show them the melting clock too, and suggest it helps with The Persistence of Memory (1931).
Note: I found this video: Destino (Disney/Dali) (and I thought that comparing Disney elephants with Dali's was odd and daring!)


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