Dali: Man Out Of Time

Posted on Jan 29, 2023 by TanGental

I don’t know when I first came across S. Dali. Probably his red lips sofa. Certainly, I was attracted by his surrealist imagery, the stick legged heffalumps, the melting clocks. I found his religious iconography weird and unsettling and his fetishistic elements uncomfortable. But never a dull moment, and if the answer to ‘what is art’ is that it’s something that triggers an emotional response, he had it in spades. Indeed, I think hearing someone talk about his Great Masturbator was the first time I heard that word without some schoolboy sniggering.

All in all, his work is something unique, occasionally banal and glib, mostly fascinating and conceptually off kilter, demanding a level of consideration that, say, yet another chorus of fat babies from Rubens never triggers.

So it was that the Textiliste and I wended our way through Shoreditch, part of trendy East London. There’s a lot of street art around this area and never enough time. Especially as we had a fixed time slot.

The show we were going to was housed in the boiler house, formerly part of the Truman Brewery that once dominated the North end of Brick Lane. This…

It started with a jog through Dali’s career from the surreal to the quantum via an einstinian fascination with time and space. The soft clocks led to his incorporation of many particles in his work, trailling into 3D and holography. Not bad for someone with just an imagination and inquiring mind and no training.

Then, we entered an enormous room of moving imagery from Dali’s oeuvre.

These are a few clips…

And finally, headsets on, we entered a VR version of Dali’s mind, which it’s probably as well I cannot show here, but which was bogmindling in a good way.

If you get the chance, go.

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
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34 Responses to Dali: Man Out Of Time

  1. noelleg44 says:
    Jan 29, 2023 at 6:07 pm

    Since I won’t have the possibility of going, this is definitely the next best thing. Thanks so much, Geoff, for providing a cultural experience of modern art. I do like Dali. He is very thought-provoking. I do like his melting clocks, which were apparently inspired by camembert cheese.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. John W. Howell says:
    Jan 29, 2023 at 6:25 pm

    Thank you for sharing this, Geoff. Just have one question. Are those people with the blankets and chairs part of the exhibition?

    Liked by 1 person

  4. joylennick says:
    Jan 29, 2023 at 6:38 pm

    Fascinating, Geoff. I ‘came across’ Dali via my eldest son’s time in art college (he too is an excellent artist…) ‘Im indoors and I spent one memorable Christmas near Lake Garda, Italy, and on Christmas eve, we visited a super gift shop where – when I wasn’t looking – my dear hubby bought me a surprise present for the 25th. It was a zany clock, based on ‘Time Flies’ designed by Dali. I love it, and it is still on our Mantlepiece today.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Peter's pondering says:
    Jan 29, 2023 at 9:06 pm

    Better than any drug and it lasts forever with no ill effects. Thanks Geoff.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. JT Twissel says:
    Jan 29, 2023 at 11:17 pm

    Did you have any nightmares after seeing that show? Dali always freaks me out.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. trifflepudling says:
    Jan 30, 2023 at 9:09 am

    Not a great fan, too much like disturbing dreams which I don’t really want voluntarily! Good you enjoyed it, though.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. derrickjknight says:
    Jan 30, 2023 at 11:20 am

    A good analysis of the man and his work. I particularly like how the street art reflects this

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Pam Lazos says:
    Jan 30, 2023 at 4:17 pm

    That video reminds me of the Laurie Anderson exhibit in Washington D.C.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Elizabeth says:
    Jan 30, 2023 at 4:47 pm

    I love all the graffiti under the posters for the show. You are fortunate to have such an exhibition within reach. Here we are eager to return to New York City to see shows, but we generally need to stay the night.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Bridgette says:
    Jan 30, 2023 at 4:59 pm

    I didn’t know they were doing a Dali version of this. The Van Gogh one toured our city last year. I hope this comes my way, it looks quite amazing! Thank you for sharing all this.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Widdershins says:
    Jan 30, 2023 at 10:46 pm

    ‘Bogmindling’, love it! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  13. robertawrites235681907 says:
    Jan 31, 2023 at 5:19 pm

    Hi Geoff, thanks for sharing this artwork. I really like it. Some people have incredible talent. I think you are making up words in competition with Shakespeare – fetishistic, what next – grin!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Jennie says:
    Feb 3, 2023 at 1:42 am

    I don’t know… this seems to be ‘the thing’. Here in Boston there has been a similar moving show with van Gogh and one with Monet. I find it disorienting and not focusing on the work of art. I’m not sure the artists themselves would like it. My goodness, I sound like a bah-humbug.

    Liked by 1 person

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