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| An artist’s rendering of a gallery in the new museum. Photo: The Dali Museum St. Petersburg |
Hello Dalí
The famed surrealist’s collection of work can be found in St. Petersburg, FL’s, Dalí Museum. Dalí is celebrated for what has become his signature and avant-garde perspective on life. This vast collection is the largest in the world outside of the artist’s native Spain. It is considered the preeminent American collection of Dalí’s work.
His body of work includes early impressionist paintings (often influenced by Renaissance masters) through his surrealism period, and evolves into his classical works, in which he began a series of 19 large canvases. Among the best-known are The Hallucinogenic Toreador and The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, both of which can be found in the museum’s collection.
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| Exterior of the new Dalí Museum. Photo: Sandy Klim |
Dalí also is known for his striking and often bizarre images. One of his best-known paintings, The Persistence of Memory, features a melting watch that has become an iconic representation of the artist himself.
Dalí worked in all types of media, leaving behind a wealth of oils, watercolors, drawings, graphics and sculptures, as well as films, photographs, performance pieces and extraordinary jewels.
A New Home for Dalí
A new building was commissioned to respond to the need for more space, versatility and security for the priceless Dalí collection. The museum will nearly double its present one in size and will be constructed to withstand a category 5 hurricane, necessary in this storm-prone region.
Dalí worked in all types of media, leaving behind a wealth of oils, watercolors, drawings, graphics and sculptures, as well as films, photographs, performance pieces and extraordinary jewels.
A New Home for Dalí
A new building was commissioned to respond to the need for more space, versatility and security for the priceless Dalí collection. The museum will nearly double its present one in size and will be constructed to withstand a category 5 hurricane, necessary in this storm-prone region.
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| The new building will provide more than twice the space of the current museum. Photo: The Dali Museum St. Petersburg |
The new museum will offer 50 percent more gallery space, and was designed by acclaimed architect Yann Weymouth. It will be reflective of Dalí’s unique juxtaposition of classical and fantastic elements. Visitors will be welcomed through a huge glass structure where an intricate spiral staircase sets the stage for the sun-lit reception area. In addition to the Dalí galleries, the new museum will feature an extensive store, 90-seat orientation theater, and café with indoor and outdoor seating. The new Dalí museum is slated to open on Jan. 11, 2011.
The current museum is open seven days a week and provides free guided tours. It is now featuring “Dalí: Gems,” a selection of the artist’s rarely viewed pieces from the vault, including jewelry designed by Dalí in the 1940s and 1950s.
To learn more, visit TheDalí.org.