Visitors Will Explore Dalí’s Monumental Works Through Augmented Reality and See an Exhibition of Dalí’s Spanish Predecessor and Influencer, Francisco de Goya
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 20, 2019) – Marking a unique occasion in which two exhibits of the highest caliber and quality are in residence simultaneously, The Dalí Museum will present two new special exhibits, both opening June 15, 2019. One exhibit will showcase the preeminent collection of Salvador Dalí’s large-scale works, called “Masterworks,” through the lens of Augmented Reality; the other exhibition features paintings and rare, first-edition prints from Spanish master artist Francisco de Goya.
“These exhibitions, each entertaining and instructive in and of themselves, shine a contextual and analytical light on Dalí, and in so doing provide a deeper understanding of the artist,” said Dr. Hank Hine, Executive Director of The Dalí Museum.
VISUAL MAGIC: DALÍ’S MASTERWORKS IN AUGMENTED REALITY
This special exhibition uses burgeoning Augmented Reality (AR) technology to engage visitors while highlighting The Dalí’s complete collection of its popular Masterworks. Coined by Dalí Museum founder A. Reynolds Morse, the term “Masterworks” refers to paintings exceeding five feet in height or width that occupied Dalí’s imagination for at least one year – in other words, they are both monumental in scale and critical Dalí paintings. Museum visitors will have an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning behind these Salvador Dalí works through the lens of AR. The interactive experience was created using key insights from The Dalí’s Visitor Experience and Education teams on the common curiosities Museum-goers have about these works, to provide an enriched experience while viewing Dalí’s complicated and layered canvases.
Visual Magic: Dalí’s Masterworks in Augmented Reality is a quintessential example of The Dalí’s commitment to embracing technology that enhances the understanding of Dalí and complements the original works to create an inviting visitor experience. The AR experience will come on the heels of the introduction of another digital endeavor entitled “Dalí Lives,” which uses Artificial Intelligence to create realistic, contemporary conversations with the legendary artist.
BEFORE DALÍ: GOYA – VISIONS & INVENTIONS
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828) is one of the most influential Spanish artists. His paintings, drawings and etchings from late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries are celebrated for their revolutionary qualities. Goya’s life and works deeply influenced Salvador Dalí and are considered by many scholars to be the basis for modern art, bridging Classicism and Romanticism and introducing democratic themes into a previously elite art form. Before Dalí: Goya – Visions & Inventions will feature two suites of first-edition prints, published in Goya’s lifetime, alongside three significant paintings representing unique themes of Goya’s works. The works are on loan from the Meadows Museum, Dallas, TX, where one of the most substantial Goya collections outside of Spain resides.
The first suite of prints, Los Caprichos (1799), on view June 15–mid-September, is arguably one of Goya’s most famous works, a series of satirical prints exploring his visions of the superstitions and societal ills of his time. The second print suite, on view mid-September through the end of the exhibit, is La Tauromaquia (1816), depicting the evolution and history of bullfighting on the Iberian Peninsula. Both suites highlight Goya’s inventive approach to the art of printmaking, which was new in his day.
“This is an opportunity for visitors to see rare first edition prints and extraordinary paintings by Goya, whose work played a critical role in Dalí’s artistic development. Dalí even stated that Goya was and would remain ‘eternally and permanently one of Spain’s greatest artists,’” said Dr. William Jeffett, The Dalí Museum’s Chief Curator of Exhibitions.
CURRENTLY AT THE DALÍ
The special exhibition “Magritte & Dalí” runs through May 19, 2019. Presented by Raymond James, “Magritte & Dalí” is the first exhibit to explore iconic Surrealists René Magritte and Salvador Dalí as a sole pairing and traces the artists’ distinctive bodies of work from the late 1920s to the early 1940s. This is the one and only opportunity visitors have to experience this first-of-its-kind exhibition in the United States.
During the Magritte & Dalí exhibit, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy two unique interactive spaces inspired by each artist. These original elements, developed with Pixel Rain Digital include an immersive 360 degree cloud room and a set of interactive photo screens that embed viewers into the art – each experience transports visitors to a surreal world where they will experience a freedom of imagination that only Magritte and Dalí could inspire.
Upcoming exhibit programming includes a “Belgian Beers & Bites” culinary experience on March 28.
Magritte & Dalí is organized by The Dalí Museum in partnership with The Magritte Museum (a part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium) and is co-curated by Dr. William Jeffett, Chief Curator of Exhibitions at The Dalí Museum, and Michel Draguet, General Director of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. Magritte & Dalí has been sponsored by Raymond James.
ABOUT THE DALÍ
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 is the first and only museum in the Southeastern United States to be recognized internationally by the Michelin Guide with a three-star rating.
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: Tara Tufo |ttufo@paradiseadv.com | 727.821.5155 x 126