Hello Dali

Dali with rhinoceros, 1952 (Photo by Phillippe Halsman)

I adore this photo -- fabulous shape, composition and subjects!

I think I remember when Salvador Dali died, but I was a teenager so I can't say it made much of an impact.  Sad, considering I was painting in school at that time and I was highly influenced by the great Spanish surrealist.  Born in 1904, Dali had an extensive career spanning over six decades.  The body of work produced by this colorful, unique man is enormous.  Monumental. 

I snapped this photo outside of the museum

This weekend, I had the great opportunity to visit the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, FL.  I highly recommend a visit, you won't regret it.  I'm not so sure Salvador would approve of the commercialized merchandise in the gift shop such as; the butterfly headband, the ant hat and bib or the Dali doll that looks more like Vincent Price, but I hope he would gain some satisfaction in knowing that so many of his pieces are gathered in a beautiful space for the world to see and enjoy.

Dinner in the Desert Lighted By Giraffes on Fire, 1937

Three Young Surrealist Women Holding in Their Arms the Skins of an Orchestra (1936)

The museum, which opened in 1982 (several years before Dali's death in 1989), contains over 1500 pieces (donated by ardent collectors, A. Reynolds and Eleanor R. Morse) from Dali's oeuvre.  The collection ranges from his slightly cubistic early works in thick layered oils on canvas and linen; to his fine line, hyper-detailed pencil sketches and etchings; to his scupltures and photographs. Most people know Dali for his whimsical, upturned moustache; his famous melting clocks; segmented, distorted body parts and his Masterworks (paintings which are at least 5ft. tall or wide and have taken at least a year to complete); but not many are aware that he even created jewelry. 

Woman With Head of Roses (1935)

Drawers of Memory (1965)

A true genius, Dali lived in an avant garde world where he was thought by many to be insane.  Still, he is considered to be one of the greatest surrealists of all time, inspiring many artists such as; Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons and even the late, Andy Warhol.

Portrait of my Dead Brother (1963)

Dali's brilliant pieces are often matched with equally brilliant, bizarre and humours titles of which I've listed (in chronological order) my top five favorites below...

1.  Ordinary French Loaf with Two Fried Eggs Riding Without a Plate (1932)
2.  Atmospheric Skull Sodomizing a Grand Piano (1934)
3.  Skull with its Lyric Appendage Leaning on a Bedside Table which should have the Exact Temperature of a Cardinal's Nest (1934)
4.   Fountain of Milk Spreading Itself Uselessly on Three Shoes (1945)
5.  Logical Rapproachment of a Trouser Button and a Pair of Cherries (1958)