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Salvador Dalì honored at the Mayoral gallery

undefined undefined 20 février 2023 undefined 17h20

undefined undefined 31 décembre 2023 undefined 08h38

The Editor

Salvador Dalí au barretina à Cap de Creus, 1955. Photo Robert Descharnes, © Descharnes & Descharnes sarl 2023

In the spring, the walls of the Mayerol gallery will be adorned with paintings by the famous mustachioed painter, Salvador Dalí. Rediscover the universe of this Catalan artist with multiple hats in a monographic exhibition where the works testify to his influences, from Catalonia to the United States, passing through Paris.

In its Parisian space, the Mayoral gallery has been exploring the creative process of artists and how their works resonate in our time for several years. From March 29th to May 28th, Salvador Dalí will be highlighted in a monographic exhibition, blending his major sources of inspiration, both "ultra local" and "ultra global". A selection of unpublished works testifies to the ambiguity of these influences shared between the painter's attachment to Cadaqués, his native Catalan land, and his international experiences. As a painter, sculptor, screenwriter, and even writer, it is thanks to these multiple imaginaries that he manages to touch on universality while retaining his uniqueness. "Everything that is contradictory creates life."Life is a joke, said Salvador Dalí, for whom creating confusion liberates creativity. Salvador Dalí, Nus dans un paysage de Cap de Creus, 1965-70, huile sur cuivre © Mayoral 2023 From Catalonia to the end of the world Throughout his life, the artist's strong connection to Catalonia will remain an important source of inspiration. The rocks of Cadaqués and the bay of Port Lligat will remain rooted in his artistic universe even as he travels the world. On the other hand, he also shows a strong attachment to Paris, the first capital he visits and where he joins the surrealist movement, which marks a turning point in his creation.He designed his first surrealistic assembly, entrenched in the exhibition. The United States, particularly New York, where he spent all his winters for 40 years, also influenced his work. Through his connection with Hollywood, he met characters such as Walt Disney, with whom he collaborated on the short film "Destino". This diversity and the subjects explored by Dalí, such as death, science, and religion, contribute to the universality of his art. "The work of Salvador Dalí wants to be nature and be able to create a universe, create the moon, create the oceans, create life, all while wanting to be a people, a community, an aspiration to home and happiness," explains Chus Martínez, the curator of the exhibition.

surrealistic assemblage, artist's proof (edition of 8 +2) © Mayoral 2023
Scatological object with symbolic functions (The Gala Shoe), 1931/1973, surrealistic assemblage, artist's proof (edition of 8 +2) © Mayoral 2023


An artwork ahead of its time

" Creating a happening means creating a situation that cannot be repeated twice," Salvador Dali declared. As a pioneer of performances and "happenings," the Catalan artist produced a total of 88 "Dalinian acts" between 1935 and 1976. Initially regarded as provocations, these performances were only recognized much later. To shed light on this overlooked aspect of his work, one of his most notable "happenings" will be reenacted.

During the opening on March 28th.

In general, Salvador Dalí's work and vision, in addition to revolutionizing the artistic representation of his time, resonate in our time with "his obsession with self-generation, his insistence on maintaining ambivalence in the reading and interpretation of gender and sexuality, a non-binary identity, his interest in understanding life processes through art and in the company of science", supports Chus Martínez.

Salvador Dalí, "Destino", character study, 1945 (detail). Watercolor, India ink and graphite on cardboard © Mayoral 2023Salvador Dalí, "Destino", character study, 1945 (detail). Watercolor, India ink and graphite on cardboard © Mayoral 2023

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Salvador Dalì, ULTRALOCAL/ULTRAGLOBAL
Galerie Mayoral
36, avenue Matignon - 8e
Du 29 mars au 28 mai
Ouvert du mardi au samedi
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