A Must-See Collection of Dalí’s Rare Botanical Prints Shares a Surprising Side of Salvador Dalí
As part of a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Surrealism, The Dalí Museum explores the world of flowering plants reimagined by Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) in the current special exhibition Reimagining Nature: Dalí’s Floral Fantasies. On display together at the Museum for the first time in two decades, these astonishing botanical print suites transform found renderings of fruits and flowers, becoming some of the most treasured works on paper in the Museum’s permanent collection. Presented like never before, these detailed, color-saturated works are on view in the Hough Family Wing at The Dalí from now through Oct. 27, 2024. DALI
Crafted late in Dalí’s career during the height of the Pop Art era, Flora Dalínae (FlorDalí) (1968), FlorDalí (Les Fruits) (1969) and Florals (Surrealist Flowers) (1972) responded to the Pop mediations of artists like Andy Warhol. The works in this exhibition transform traditional depictions of fruits and flowers, reflecting key images from Dalí’s career while forging a new path in printmaking. The artist layered his own dreamlike characters and symbols, such as flies, ants and melting clocks onto 18th- and 19th-century botanical illustrations by artists including Pierre Antoine Poiteau and Pierre-Joseph Redouté. In addition to the print suites, a selection of Dalí’s paintings incorporating botanical imagery along with archival material, including floral advertisements designed by the artist, are on display.
“Our visitors are fascinated by seeing an unexpected, more whimsical side of Dalí,” said Beth Bell, The Dalí Museum’s Chief Marketing Officer. “These botanical prints represent some of the most provocative works he’s created, evoke a heightened sense of wonder and demonstrate Dalí’s unique ability to blend surreal new elements in surprising ways. One visitor said the exhibition is ‘a delightful new spin on Dalí’s famous imagination.”
Also popular with guests is the accompanying color catalog featuring the complete collection of breathtaking works from the exhibition, available in the Museum Store. Additionally, guests can take part in the many floral-inspired surprises available throughout the building and Avant-garden including a unique Instagram and TikTok filter that allows visitors to surround themselves with key imagery from Dalí’s Floral Fantasies. Visitors can also enhance their Museum experience with a special exhibition audio tour, available in both English and Spanish through the free arts and culture app, Bloomberg Connects.
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Museum is presenting educational experiences such as painting workshops, live music and culinary sessions, offering a blend of hands-on activities that allow visitors to share their very own reimagined floral elements. Highlights include a lecture in collaboration with Selby Gardens on Sept. 5, a nature plate painting workshop on Sept. 17, An Evening of Art & Food with Chef Chuck Bandel on Oct. 7 and more. A full list can be found at TheDali.org/Events.
CURRENTLY ON VIEW AT THE DALÍ
Ask Dalí: An experience available only at The Dalí Museum and included in the price of gallery admission, Ask Dalí allows visitors to ask any question of a re-created Salvador Dalí using the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Created in partnership with Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P), Ask Dalí is powered by several modern machine-learning models, including GPT-4 from OpenAI and Eleven Multilingual V2 from ElevenLabs. The models have been trained using a variety of the artist’s writings and archival audio, resulting in a voice that sounds remarkably like Dalí’s real voice and a dialogue that reflects his unique personality. To start a conversation, visitors simply pick up a telephone inspired by Dalí’s famous Lobster Phone and ask any question they would like.
COMING SOON
Writers of Surrealism: Salvador Dalí, a special presentation opening Sept. 7, 2024 in the Museum’s Raymond James Community Room, explores Dalí’s diverse writings, including novels, essays and autobiographical pieces, showcasing the artist’s unconventional narrative style and his groundbreaking contributions to Surrealist thought. The presentation reflects Dalí’s profound creativity, avant-garde spirit and willingness to challenge conventional artistic norms, featuring excerpts from The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí (1942) and Diary of a Genius (1964), among many other works. Through his writings, Dalí offered readers a glimpse into his multivalent universe, inviting them to examine the depths of his imagination and the complexities of his psyche. This display is free for all guests and runs through Jan. 5, 2025.
The Subversive Eye: Surrealist and Experimental Photography from the David Raymond Collection, an exhibition featuring 111 photographs created between 1925 and 1948, opens November 16, 2024. This expansive presentation of Surrealist photographers and their wide-ranging influence continues the Museum’s celebration of 100 Years of Surrealism, marked by the “First Surrealist Manifesto,” published in 1924. Showcasing the numerous ties between Surrealist ideas and Eastern European, German and Japanese experimental practices, the exhibition displays photographic techniques such as multiple exposure, unusual perspectives, cropping and solarization from 52 artists including Eileen Agar, Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Dora Maar, Lee Miller, Osamu Shiihara, Man Ray and more.
The hotel partner for Reimagining Nature: Dalí’s Floral Fantasies is TradeWinds Island Resorts. Presenting exhibition sponsor of The Subversive Eye is Marion R. Rich, with a deep appreciation for Surrealist photography. Supporting sponsors include Ingrid and Jake Jacobus and Adele Visaggio, airport partner St. Pete Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and hotel partner TradeWinds Island Resorts.
IMAGES
Permission to reproduce these images is granted solely for use in conjunction with media reportage and review of the Reimagining Nature: Dalí’s Floral Fantasies exhibition. All reproductions must be accompanied by the image credit noted. Permission to reproduce these images is contingent upon the press’ acknowledgment and acceptance of these terms. High-resolution images available here.
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About The Dalí Museum
The Dalí Museum, located in downtown St. Petersburg, Fla., is home to a preeminent collection of the artist’s works, with over 2,400 works representing every period and medium of Salvador Dalí’s creative life. The Dalí is recognized internationally by the Michelin Guide with its highest three-star rating; has been named one of seven museums globally that showcase the future by CNN Travel; and was named one of the 10 most interesting museums in the world by Architectural Digest. The Dalí Museum’s acclaimed digital experiences have received numerous national and international awards for creative innovation. The Museum is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to preserve Dalí’s legacy for generations to come and serve as an active resource in the cultural life of the community and the world at large. Open daily at One Dalí Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Fla. 33701, The Dalí welcomes all as unique individuals and is committed to making its collection, exhibitions, building and programs accessible. For more information, visit TheDali.org or download the Bloomberg Connects app for The Dalí Museum’s free mobile guide.
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