At the Dalí Theatre Museum in Figueres, nothing is what it seems at first sight. The works of the great master, Salvador Dalí, first grab your attention with their intriguing appearance, then tease you with their cunning metaphors and finally tempt you to imagine a surreal world, where no boundaries exist and where everything is possible. Strolling through the Dalí Theatre Museum, I stopped for a moment and wondered what it would be like to peek into the mind of Salvador Dalí; the brilliant mind that created these fascinating masterpieces. I thought about the movie, “Being John Malkovich”, in which a group of friends discover a secret door that leads directly into the mind of John Malkovich. They soon conduct tours and guests are able to go on a stroll through the famous actor’s mind. Wouldn’t it be amazing if a similar tour through Dalí’s mind were possible?
The master of surrealism
Dalí joined the Surrealism movement in 1929 and quickly became the movement’s biggest champion. His highly imaginative, surrealistic works never fail to fascinate. They make you stare and think. Seamlessly blending many artistic styles, ranging from classic to avant-garde, with his own eccentricity, Dalí created provocative pieces of art. Questions cropped up in my mind as I walked through the museum. Why are there eggs on the roof? Why is it raining inside the Cadillac? Why are the watches in his most famous piece, “The Persistence of Memory”, melting? It made me want to learn more about the life of Salvador Dalí.
The Dali Museum in Figueres
The Cadillac in the main foyer. It rains inside the Cadillac!
Reflections in the Dali Theatre & Museum
A two-in-one painting: a nude and a famous American statesman
A tribute to Mae West
The magnificent Palace of the Air
The main entrance of the Dali Theatre & Museum in Figueres
Salvador Dalí’s home in Port Lligat
So, who was Salvador Dalí? He was obviously an eccentric, fun-loving character who saw every day scenes through different lenses. Who or what inspired him and what motivated him to create these ingenious works of art? I found many answers in the Biography room at the Dalí Theatre Museum but I got to learn a bit more about his personal life during our visit to the Casa Dalí in Port Lligat the following day. We were lucky to have Antoni Pixtot, a former apprentice of the great master, guide us through Dalí’s former residence. Mr. Pixtot wowed us with his lovely personal accounts of what it was like to work and live with Salvador Dalí.
The entrance to the Casa Dalí
Dalí's bedroom
Antoni Pixtot wows us with his personal accounts
Mr. Pixtot took us on a tour around the house and filled his commentary with personal anecdotes. He sat in the chair he used to sit in as a young apprentice and told us fascinating stories about the flamboyant Dalí, his love for his wife and muse, Gala, his temperamental character, and his penchant for practical jokes. He showed us Dalí’s studio and his little study. The latter, with its photo-covered walls, was especially insightful.
Dali's favourite chair
Dalí's personal photos in his study
The ‘Milky Way’
Dalí settled in the small hamlet of Port Lligat because he fell in love with the ethereal light that reflected off the water of the bay. By the clever use of mirrors, he could lie in bed and enjoy the views of the harbour. He built a gorgeous path along the coast and called it the ‘Milky Way’. He and his wife, Gala, would dress in white cloaks and walk down this path in the moonlight to stare out to the harbour and breathe the lavender-infused air.
The Milky Way at Casa Dalí
Mr. Pixtot tells us about Dalí's favourite seat at the end of the 'Milky Way'
I certainly got to know quite a bit more about Salvador Dalí by visiting his house in Port Lligat. Listening to Mr. Pixtot’s stories was a wonderful experience and afforded us a precious peek into Dalí’s life. If you find yourself wandering around the Dalí Theatre Museum in Figueres with many of the same questions in your mind, I highly recommend making a reservation for a visit to the Casa Dalí in Port Lligat. It may not be a tour through the mind of Salvador Dalí a lá ‘Being John Malkovich’ but it just might answer all your questions about this flamboyant, mysterious, master of surrealism.
Read other Velvet Escape posts on Costa Brava.
Note: my visit to Costa Brava was part of the #InCostaBrava blogtrip organised by the Costa Brava Tourism Board and Tourism Spain.
This is my absolute favorite museum! It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience. The installation pieces are fantastic, but the paintings are equally as awesome. Great gift shop too!
The Persistence of Memory – this poster reminds me of my uni days in the UK, when I first got acquainted with the works of Dali. I am a big fan. It’s interesting that his bedroom is as flamboyant as him – I would have expected nothing less. Easy to think how he might have dreamt those bizarre images, lying in that bed;) Mr. Pixtot sounds like a rocking guy – so how old was he, and how old was Dali when he worked with him?
I love this! I’m kind of bummed to see from Robbie’s post that the museum itself is not as wonderful as this blog is, but since I am a huge Dali fan it’s still on my bucket list.
This is a must visit place for me, looks sooo awesome!!!
Midnight in Paris is certainly on my list of movies to see. Thanks for the tip Vera.
Hugs,
Keith
Fantastic! But then isn’t he always? Woody Allen’s new movie, Midnight in Paris has a very funny take on Salvador Dali. And have you seen the Dali museum in St. Petersburg Florida? Nothing like this look into his life, of course, but a terrific collection. Thanks so much for the pictures and narrative about one of my favorite odd ball characters. (and he was brilliant under all that rebelliousness!)
You’re welcome Sid! There’s definitely inspiration in eccentricity and flamboyance!
Cheers,
Keith
what an amazing artist! who walks along the milky way dressed in white gowns under the moonlight? that’s inspiration right there
Thanks for sharing Keith!
Thank you Rolando for your comment.
Cheers,
Keith
Fantastic article and great pictures! thank you very much for sharing them. I’m a huge fan of Salvador Dali. He’s one of the most importat artist of XX century and personally, I’ve learned a lot from his technique.
cheers,
@RolandoPeralta
Thank you Rob! We were very privileged to have the entire Dali Theatre Museum to ourselves during our visit. We could take our time admiring the art and reading about his life. Fascinating! And it was a huge honour to have Mr. Pixtot guide us around Casa Dalí. His personal stories were priceless.
Cheers,
Keith
great great Article keith!
I love Dali and it seems i learned more about the museum and Dali via your article then when i was there myself (too crowded i guess)