A small town in the west of England has bagged three sculptures by the late surrealist Salvador Dalí for an event this summer. The works that will be exhibited are Tribute to Terpsichore (conceived in 1977, first cast in 1984); surreal piano (designed in 1954, first cast in 1984) and Dalinian dancer (designed in 1949, first cast in 1984). According to Observer.
The theme of the 2023 route is “movement” inspired by the late local dancer and choreographer John Weaver (1673-1760). A spokesperson for the Dalí Universe tells The arts journal“The exhibition concept of the sculpture route seemed to lend itself to third-dimensional sculpture and to Salvador Dalí in general. Dalí was fascinated by the art of dance and this had a great importance in his life and work. The selection of sculptures submitted by The Dalí Universe explores the full range of feelings and emotions related to dance and movement.
The medieval castle backdrop was another key factor in the organization’s decision to work with the town of Shrewsbury, she adds. “Dalí himself bought and renovated a real castle, the castle of Púbol, for his wife and muse Gala. We are delighted to see the surreal piano displayed against a picturesque castle backdrop.” Crucially, she adds that the sculptures are “insured and will continue to be insured onsite at Shrewsbury for the duration of the event”.
by Salvador Dali surreal piano (conceived in 1954, first cast in 1984)
© AIP Art Investment Partners SL
In the carving surreal piano, Dalí transforms the image of a grand piano into a surreal dancing object. The traditional wooden piano legs are replaced with female legs, booted feet and skirted flounces. Meanwhile, “in his portrayal of Terpsichore, Dalí uses a reflected image, placing the soft, carnal muse against her hardened, sculptural ‘shadow’,” the spokesperson explains. In Dalinian dancer“the faceless figure, a recurring motif in Dalí’s work, attracts us with its intense rhythm”.
“The Dalí Universe charges rental fees for exhibition loans of our large and very valuable Salvador Dalí sculptures. Shrewsbury Arts Trail is a non-profit community benefit corporation that works to promote cultural awareness in the community. On this occasion, the Univers Dalí decided to waive the rental fee due to our interest in the venue and the theme of the exhibition. We wanted to support the work carried out by Shrewsbury Arts Trail”, adds the holder. word.
by Salvador Dali Tribute to Terpsichore (conceived in 1977, first cast in 1984)
© AIP Art Investment Partners SL
On its website, L’Univers Dalí describes itself as “a company specializing in Salvador Dalí, managing one of the largest private collections of Dalí’s works in the world”. The organization is headed by Beniamino Levi, an Italian art dealer and collector who worked with Dalí in the 1960s. “The Dalí Universe, in collaboration with Art Investment Partners SL., is the publisher and distributor of the multiple editions of Dalí sculptures [accompanied by certificates of authenticity]“, says the website.
