The ‘Dalí and Media’ exhibition arrives in Shanghai

The exhibition looks at the relationship between the Catalan painter, symbol of the surrealism movement, and the press. The show aims to highlight that Dalínot only published several articles in newspapers but went much further: he designed advertisements and illustrated some of his own and other colleagues’texts. ‘Dalíand Media’includes 250 pieces, most of them newspapers, magazines and printed advertisements but there are also 30 objects from Dalí’s workshop, 12 paintings and 2 original drawings. This is not the first exhibition based on the surrealist artist to be held in Shanghai. In February 2011, the Gala-Salvador Dalífoundation also organised in China’s financial capital the retrospective ‘Dalí: a genius of the XX century’. ‘Dalíand Media’has already been to other cities such as Moscow, and will be displayed in Shanghai’s Chi K11 Art Space until the 15th of February.

'Napoleon’s nose transformed into a pregnant woman strolling his shadow with melancholia amongst original ruins' is one of the paintings displayed in 'Dalí and Media' (by ACN)
'Napoleon’s nose transformed into a pregnant woman strolling his shadow with melancholia amongst original ruins' is one of the paintings displayed in 'Dalí and Media' (by ACN) / ACN

ACN

November 5, 2015 07:33 PM

Shanghai (CNA).- China’s financial capital Shanghai saw the opening on Wednesday of the exhibition ‘Dalíand Media’, which is based on the relationship between the Catalan surrealist painter, Salvador Dalí, and the press. Amongst the 250 pieces displayed in the exhibition, there are hundreds of newspapers, magazines and advertisements but also 30 objects from Dalí’s workshop, 12 paintings and 2 original drawings. The aim is to explain the painter’s relationship with the mass media, which went further than just publishing articles in the press. Dalídesigned advertisements, published illustrations and also used the press as an inspiration or even support for his own art pieces. ‘Dalíand Media’will be displayed in Shanghai’s Chi K11 Art Space until the 15th of February and is the second exhibition based on the Catalan painter’s work to be hosted in Shanghai; in February 2011 the Gala-Salvador Dalífoundation also organised in China’s financial capital the retrospective ‘Dalí: a genius of the XX century’.


The exhibition wants to show to the visitor how strong Dalí’s relationship with the press was, not only as an artist but also as a character. According to photographer Philippe Halsman “Dalíwas a surrealist. However, his most surreal creation was himself”. Besides publishing articles and illustrations in the press, Dalídesigned advertisements, newspapers and magazine covers and even starred in his own cartoon strip, using his fame and ironising some of his most popular objects such as the melting watches, amongst others. This strong relationship with the press reached its height with the creation of his own entire newspaper, ‘Dalí News’.  

Dalí also used the press as an inspiration and a physical support for his art pieces, especially collages, in which he used newspaper articles and magazine clippings.

'Dalí and Media’has already been to other cities such as Moscow and will be displayed in Shanghai’s Chi K11 Art Space until the 15th of February. This is the second exhibition based on the Catalan painter’s work to be hosted in Shanghai; in February 2011 the Gala-Salvador Dalífoundation also organised in China’s financial capital the retrospective ‘Dalí: a genius of the XX century”.