“Painting is an infinitely minute part of my personality”.
Salvador Dalí
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This Friday, December 20, 2024, Casa Hintz, a historic building dating back to 1573, recently restored and located in Piața Unirii, Romania, will host the grand opening of the exhibition “Universul lui Salvador Dalí” (“The Universe of Salvador Dalí”).
Organized by Hadran Events and curated by the art critic and historian Dr. Dan-Octavian Breaz, in collaboration with Spotlights Events, and Casa Hintz, the exhibition promises an extraordinary journey into the surreal world of the Master of Surrealism. This unique showcase is further enriched by an innovative virtual reality experience.
After its remarkable success in Bucharest, where it attracted over 100,000 visitors, “The Universe of Salvador Dalí” brings to Cluj-Napoca the opportunity to admire more than 170 works, including lithographs, graphics, engravings, sculptures, and miniatures crafted in gold and diamonds, all of which are part of the Dalí Universe Collection.
One of the most notable pieces featured at Cluj is the monumental sculpture “Saint George and the Dragon”, created in 1977. In this magnificent bronze work, Salvador Dalí reimagines the traditional iconography of Saint George, transforming it into a symbolic and deeply meaningful creation. The saint is portrayed as a valiant knight clad in gleaming golden armor, caught in the act of delivering the fatal blow to the dragon while rescuing Princess Selene at his side. A version of this masterpiece was presented to Pope John Paul II in 1995 by Dalí Universe and is now part of the Vatican Collection in Rome.
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The exhibition will also feature additional bronze sculptures, including “Homage to Terpsichore”, “Man with Butterfly”, and “Woman of Time”, offering visitors an opportunity to delve into the rich symbolism and countless interpretations of Dalí’s work.
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Included in the exhibition is a selection from the Dalí Jeweled Sculpture Collection, such as “Dance of Time II”, which illustrates the iconic melting clock, one of Dalí’s most recognized images. The artist revisited this motif throughout his life, embedding within it profound concepts of time and reality. Dalí became fascinated by the idea of time and used the image of the melting watch in many of his works. Some interpretations suggest that these clocks symbolize Albert Einstein’s theory of the relativity of space and time.
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The exhibition will also present a selection of Golden Objects, rare Lithographs, and Illustrations from the Dalí Universe Collection. These works offer the public a chance to explore Dalí’s creative versatility and his drive to experiment with various materials and mediums to express his art, inviting viewers to transcend the boundaries of imagination.
“Salvador Dalí is a grand artist, capable of transforming and expanding our perception of the world”, says art critic and historian Dr. Dan-Octavian Breaz. He adds: “A visionary par excellence, Dalí possessed an inexhaustible mind, capable of crafting fantasies that were both aesthetically seductive and perfectly aligned with humanity’ deep-seated need to confront the hidden secrets of the soul. Through his works, Dalí challenges us to see the spiritual dimension of the phenomenal world, a quality that defines the extraordinary power of his visual imagination”.
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“My commitment to showcasing Salvador Dalí’s three-dimensional works began in the 1960s. Since then, I have found immense satisfaction in presenting one of the lesser-known aspects of the Catalan artist, giving audiences the chance to appreciate Dalí’s creativity through his sculptures”, explains Dalí Universe President, Mr. Beniamino Levi.
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Inspired by the surreal and Dalinian vision of the Master of Surrealism, the “Universul lui Salvador Dalí” (“The Universe of Salvador Dalí”) exhibition in Romania represents the perfect blend of Salvador Dalí’s art and modern virtual reality technology. This integration offers visitors a unique, truly surreal experience where imagination knows no bounds, and artworks can be appreciated in an entirely new and exciting dimension thanks to advanced technology and lighting effects.
The exhibition opens to the public this weekend before Christmas and will remain accessible until April 2025, offering a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season in an even more enchanting manner, where the magic and wonder of Christmas beautifully mirror the fantasy, dreams, and boundless imagination of Salvador Dalí.