A
t this moment as I am creating something new in my life, the words of one of my favorite artists come to mind, that flamboyant artist who used bizarre dream imagery to create unforgettable landscapes of his own inner world. And what could bring Dali and his disquieting interpretation of fantastical imagery to the forefront of my mind? Certainly his madness, but also his meticulously rendered canvases with double or triple entendre! I am thinking today of all the refracted humour of Dali’s early paintings, that depict dream imagery and everyday objects in unexpected forms. Some memorable episodes in Dali’s
life, that stay with me, were his refusal to take his final examination, saying he knew more than the professor, leading to his expulsion from the San Fernando Academy of Fine Arts. Another turning point was his first meeting with muse Gala Eluard, when she visited Cadaques with her husband, French poet Paul Eluard. Ironically she became Dali’s lover and inspiration, leading to his first one-man show in Paris, at Goeman’s Gallery. They married in a civil ceremony and she constantly advised him on how to interact with the art community, especially while they were in America. Dali painted, sculpted, photographed, designed perfumes and jewelry. I
40 | JANUARY 2011 | Cinema, Music & Art with the Brew
think of him when I am introduced and people ask me what is it ‘exactly’ that I do? Am I an Interior Architect or Designer or Host or Writer or Art Curator? His scripts caused scandal and the League of Patriots rioted in protest, destroying many surrealist works. He interacted with Picasso, Harpo Marx, Miro, Luis Bunuel. He designed dresses and hats for Elsa Schiaparelli, drew portraits of Sigmund Freud. He worked with Walt Disney on an animated film project (Destino), designed dream sequences for Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, Spellbound; and illustrated Macbeth and Don Quixote. He did scenarios, costumes and sets for Bacchanale; and designed