Last year, I went to the Art Science Museum to see the Dali exhibition there. I've always liked most of Dali's works ever since we--the AEP students--learned abut him in AEP. I only took pictures of the artworks I liked better, and you may notice that I do not take entire pictures of some of the artworks, and that's because I only focus on the part of the artwork I like. I know that may spoil the beauty of the artwork, but I prefer to avoid taking pictures of any nude figures.
I won't be introducing the pictures I took in the order I took them, but according to how I classify them. The first five pictures are of Dali's famous melting clocks. There were many of such sculptures, but I chose to take pictures of only two to represent the rest. I like the idea of melting clocks and relativity of time. Like the warping of time. Melting time: The first picture depicts a green and gold melting clock by itself, while the second picture shows a bronze clock melting on some tree branches. The third picture is more contemporary. It depicts a dark blue melting clock with golden numerals hung on a clothes hanger.
Horse Saddled With Time: The fourth picture depicts a green and gold (this seems to be Dali's preferred color for his melting clocks?) clock melting on the back of a horse where a saddle should be. Its like the horse is carrying away the burden of time and time passes quickly (since the horse is a fast animal). Woman of Time: In this picture, a woman is dressed in flowing robes, holding a rose in one hand and a melted clock is draped over the other arm. The clock alludes to the woman's awareness that beauty can be independent of time, whether it is corporeal grace or an ethereal rose.
The next few pictures have been classified by me under the category of women and angels. Woman Aflame: this picture is of a woman, almost entirely composed of flames and combines a few of Dali's obsessions together (woman, fire and chest of drawers) The flames represent the erotic impulses of the female figure, and drawers are a representation of the concealed sexuality of women (eew!). Dali portrays many of the drawers to be slightly ajar, indicating that their secrets are known and no longer to be feared. Alice in Wonderland: In this picture, Alice's hands and hair have blossomed into roses and her jump rope has become a twisted cord. Hmm... Surrealism is about reality in dreams. Alice in Wonderland is about dreams too. No wonder Dali got inspiration from Lewis Carrol. Adam and Eve: In this artwork, the Garden of Eden is portrayed with Adam, Eve, and the serpent, capturing the very moment Eve offers Adam the forbidden fruit. In the artwork, the serpent tempts Adam, coiling himself in the shape of a heart, reminding Adam and Eve of their love for each other. I apologize for not taking a picture of the entire artwork (there was a lack of clothes).
Snail and the Angel: This picture is of a snail and an angel on top of it (the proportion seems weird). Paradoxically, the snail, the universal symbol of the idle passing of time, has been given wings and is riding fluidly moving waves. In the picture, the angel, a winged messenger of the gods, capable of limitless speed, bestows the snail with the gift of motion by touching down on its back for the briefest of moments. Vision of the Angel: In this sculpture, the strength and supremacy of God is represented by a thumb from which all life emerges (as represented by the branches). On the left is an Angel in The Thinker pose, with his wing resting on and supported by a crutch. To the right of this divine being is a man bursting with life's vitality, which represents humanity.
Last but not least are three (or four?) artworks under my category of animals. Lady Godiva with Butterflies: In this picture, the butterflies announce the arrival of Lady Godiva, hovering around her and her steed, as well as adorning her body as she plays her trumpet. Lady Godiva embodies earthly beauty, whereas the butterflies depict the ethereal otherworld. Once again, the picture is weird (having taken it from behind, because of Lady Godiva's lack of clothes). Unicorn: The unicorn is a mythical creature of legend representing virginity and purity. The horn of a unicorn is believed capable of neutralizing any poison. In this artwork, the unicorn's horn penetrates a stone wall through a heart-shaped opening, from which a drop of blood is slowly falling. There is nude female stretched out in the foreground at the hooves of the animal (which is not in the picture for reasons mentioned before)
Swan-Elephant: I find this artwork one of the most interesting because its kind of optical illusion-ish. The sculptures displayed consist of a silver elephant and a gold swan. But they're actually the same thing. If you turn the elephant upside down, you get a swan. If you turn the swan upside down, you get an elephant. Cool right?
Most of these sculptures are made of bronze (i think. At least their originals were) and all very surrealistic. I came to this art exhibition with my parents because my dad said it would be good for an AEP student. On that day, there were two exhibitions going on and he gave me a choice: Van Gogh or Dali. I chose Dali.
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