Spanish Sculptor Eduardo Chillida Debuts at The Dalí
Memory, Mind, Matter: The Sculpture of Eduardo Chillida Opens May 13
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA (May 9, 2017) – Discover how a sculptor’s hands rework the world, refining form and shaping space as The Dalí presents the special exhibition Memory, Mind, Matter: The Sculpture of Eduardo Chillida. Opening this Saturday, May 13, and on display through September 24, 2017, the exhibit features world-renowned Spanish sculptor Eduardo Chillida’s works in paper, alabaster, steel and stone. More than 60 works will be on display including 16 sculptures, a large-scale wall mural, numerous drawings and ‘gravitations,’ the artist’s unique approach to paper collage. This will be the Museum’s first exhibition dedicated to sculpture since the opening of its new building in 2011.
Following the emotive Frida Kahlo at The Dalí – The Dalí’s most visited exhibit in its history – the upcoming Chillida show continues the Museum’s tradition of contextualizing its permanent Salvador Dalí collection through the exhibition of artists with an aesthetic or historical kinship to Dali. “Eduardo Chillida’s early work was nourished by Surrealism and by the concerns of artists including Giacometti and Kandinsky for the enigmatic interconnection of body and spirit.” said Executive Director of The Dalí, Dr. Hank Hine.
This Chillida exhibition explores the artist’s interest in space and organic form. Whether he was working on massive sculpture or delicate collage, he created careful, balanced compositions. “Chillida’s sculpture and drawings exude a poetic elegance. The Dalí Museum is proud to present this major figure of post-war art,” said William Jeffett, co-curator of the exhibition. “As an artist known for monumental sculptures in public environments, this exhibit provides visitors the unique opportunity to view a robust selection of his work in many media, without having to travel around the globe.”
In addition to co-curating this exhibition, The Dalí and the Chillida Leku (the foundation for Chillida’s work) also collaborated to develop a publication authorized by Eduardo Chillida years ago. The artist admired the architecture of the great American architect Louis Kahn. Dalí Museum Director Hank Hine selected brief writings by Kahn which were printed along with etching plates by Chillida. The hand-made, limited edition book, titled “The Shadow Belongs to Light,” will be displayed for the first time in this exhibition.
Also in conjunction with the exhibition, the Museum will host a variety of programs inspired by Chillida, such as films & lectures, and will create connections to the local sculpture scene. The Museum Store will offer the exhibition catalog as well as a variety of Chillida-inspired merchandise reminiscent of the shapes formed within his work. A complimentary audio guide will accompany the exhibition and as always, Museum admission includes access to all galleries, including this special exhibit, plus free access to the gardens, children’s activity room and theater. In the Museum’s Café Gala, Basque-inspired specials will be offered throughout the run of the exhibit including items such as grilled white asparagus salad, assortments of Basque cheeses and Kalimotxo – the traditional Basque drink of wine and cola.
Opening on the same day as the Chillida exhibit, the 2017 Statewide Student Surrealist Art Exhibit: “Surreal Identity” will make its debut in The Dalí’s Raymond James Community Room. Running through August 27, the Student Show, which is free to the public, will feature works from Florida high school and middle school students centered on the theme of portraits and self-portraits in a surreal, non-traditional manner.
“Memory, Mind, Matter: The Sculpture of Eduardo Chillida” is co-organized by The Dalí Museum and Museo Chillida-Leku, in collaboration with the Meadows Museum at SMU, Dallas. “Memory, Mind, Matter: The Sculpture of Eduardo Chillida” is curated by William Jeffett and Ignacio Chillida.
Images
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| Lurra M-32 (Earth M-32). Sculpture. Eduardo Chillida, 1996. ©2017 Zabalaga-Leku, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VEGAP, Madrid |
Enparantza (Square). Sculpture. Eduardo Chillida, 1990. ©2017 Zabalaga-Leku, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VEGAP, Madrid | Besarkada III (Embrace III). Sculpture. Eduardo Chillida, 1991. ©2017 Zabalaga-Leku, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VEGAP, Madrid | Sin Título / Untitled. Sculpture. Eduardo Chillida, 1996. ©2017 Zabalaga-Leku, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VEGAP, Madrid |
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| Gure Aitaren Etxea (1ª Version Nº 2) (Our Father’s House (1st Version Nº 2)). Sculpture. Eduardo Chillida, 1985. ©2017 Zabalaga-Leku, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VEGAP, Madrid | Gravitacion (Gravitation). Eduardo Chillida, 1987. ©2017 Zabalaga-Leku, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VEGAP, Madrid |
Mano (Hand). Drawing. Eduardo Chillida, 1995. ©2017 Zabalaga-Leku, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VEGAP, Madrid | Collage. Eduardo Chillida, 1985. ©2017 Zabalaga-Leku, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VEGAP, Madrid |
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| Eduardo Chillida, Year 1963. Photo: Budd, N.Y.©2017 Zabalaga-Leku, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VEGAP, Madrid | Eduardo Chillida, 1987, Barcelona: Photo: Archivo Eduardo Chillida. ©2017 Zabalaga-Leku, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VEGAP, Madrid | Eduardo Chillida at his studio, 1991. ©2017 Zabalaga-Leku, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VEGAP, Madrid |
Eduardo Chillida working on an alabaster sculpture, 1975. Photo: Archivo Eduardo Chillida. ©2017 Zabalaga-Leku, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VEGAP, Madrid |
About The Dalí Museum
The Dalí Museum, located in the heart of beautiful downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, is home to an unparalleled collection of Salvador Dalí art, featuring more than 2,000 works comprising nearly 100 oil paintings; over 100 watercolors and drawings; and 1,300 prints, photographs, sculptures and objets d’art. The building is itself a work of art, featuring 1,062 triangular-shaped glass panels—the only structure of its kind in North America. Nicknamed The Enigma, it provides an unprecedented view of St. Petersburg’s picturesque waterfront. The Museum has attracted the world’s attention, and among the other distinguished awards it has received, it was listed by AOL Travel News as “one of the top buildings to see in your lifetime.” The Dalí Museum is located at One Dalí Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701. For additional information contact 727.823.3767 or visit TheDali.org.
Media Contact Lorin Augeri | LAugeri@paradiseadv.com | 954.815.2156