Dali: Painting & FilmIf you think you're done with Salvador Dali exhibits, think again. The current offering at LACMA focuses on his career in film and cinema. Well, folks, this IS Hollywood! Did you know he counted Alfred Hitchcock and Walt Disney among his friends? Most people are probably familiar with his work on Hitchcock's film "Spellbound" for the dream sequences. (Note to self: must rent from NetFlix to see for the umpteenth time.) The oil paintings (in grayscale) that he created for the sets of that movie are wonderful works of art in themselves. In fact, they were my favorite pieces in the show of approximately 100 Dali paintings, sculptures, photographs and films.
One piece not film-related (as far as I know) was the lobster telephone (1936). As my souvenir for the exhibit I couldn't resist buying the plastic lobster for three bucks. It now adorns my bathroom wall, as you can see in the photo, and stares at me as I brush my teeth.
My all time favorite Salvador Dali exhibit was at the Tate Gallery in London in 1980. I still have the poster in the entryway of my home, sadly faded over the years. The image is cropped from the "Swans Reflecting Elephants" painting. I prefer it to the original painting as it focuses on the three swans and elephants, the woman/tree reaching skyward and the boat beached in the background.
Although Dali is not one of my top ten favorite artists, I recognize his importance in the history of art and film and I am awed by his imagination.
Dali: Painting and Film ends January 6, 2008.
(Photo copyright roslyn m wilkins)
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