#07 / 2019
CATALONIAN
TREASURY
TF
W R I T T E N BY:
M A RIA ZHELIKHOVSK AYA
Figueres
PLACE OF SURREALISM POWER
F
Figueres appeared on the
world map in the Middle Ag-
es (it is believed that its
name has Visigoth origin that
translated means fig tree).
However, it gained world rec-
ognition together with the ti-
tle as the most surreal place
in the world in the 20th cen-
tury thanks to Salvador Dalí.
The Dalí Theatre and Mu-
seum is well-known and
the most visited tourist at-
traction of the town. It was
founded by the artist him-
self in 1974, and it is locat-
ed in the former town theatre
built in the 19th century ru-
ined by fire during the Span-
ish Civil War. The building
stayed in a dilapidated condi-
tion for a very long time, until
Dalí, having already become
rich and famous, decided to
set up his own museum over
there. Originally, the prag-
matic artist was planning to
display only photo duplicates
of his works, but the town au-
thorities agreed to give away
the building only if the orig-
inals hung on its walls — it
took a decade to sort out the
disputes, but common sense
eventually prevailed. Dalí re-
constructed the building ac-
cording to his project adding
up peculiar decorative items
in the style of surrealism. The
facade, for example, is topped
up with numerous eggs that
Dalí believed to be symbols
of fertility, and decorated
with the shapes of Catalonian
bread — the artist had always
been obsessed with this prod-
uct since his childhood; the
aroma of baking bread com-
ing from the kitchen of his
parent’s home had always
fascinated him.
“It’s obvious that other
worlds exist, that’s certain;
but, as I’ve already said in
well as items belonging to the
artist or his wife and muse
Gala, such as a surreal dress
made by the famous Spanish
couturier Paco Rabanne. The
collection of over forty jewel-
ry items created by Salvador
Dalí between 1941 and 1970 is
housed in a separate build-
ing, including his famous
Soft Watch, for example. Sal-
vador Dalí made not only the
designs of this jewelry him-
self but also chose precious
metals and gemstones being
guided not only by their col-
many other occasions, these
or palette but also its sym-
other worlds are inside ours,
bolic meaning. “I’m glad that
they reside on earth and are
people smile at my telephone
precisely at the centre of
the dome of the Dalí Muse-
earrings. A smile is some-
um, which contains an abso-
thing pleasant. But those ear-
lutely new, unsuspected and
rings, like all my jewels, are
fascinating world of Surre-
serious... They connote the
alism,” Dalí wrote about his
speed of modern means of
progeny. Indeed, the Dalí The- communication; the hope
atre-Museum is a real trip in- and danger of instantaneous
to the subconscious; no won-
changes in thought.”
der that Freud was one of the
Furthermore, the museum
artist’s idols whom the art-
regularly hosts temporary
ist met in person. Freud re-
exhibitions. Until December
ported later, “I was inclined
31, 2019, Dalí/Rafael, a Pro-
to look upon the surrealists,
longed Reverie, the exhibi-
who have apparently chosen
tion of the Raphael painting
me as their patron saint, as
Madonna of the Rose from
absolute cranks. The young
the Museo del Prado. The title
Spaniard, however, with his
comes from Dali’s treatise on
candid fanatical eyes and his painting 50 Secrets of Magic
undeniable technical mas-
Craftsmanship, and Salvador
tery, has made me reconsider Dalí. Robert Whitaker. 1967-
my opinion.”
1972. The Portraits that the
The exhibition provides
English photographer Bob
a broad perspective of Dalí’s
Whitaker made of Salvador
creative career, from his ear- Dalí at Portlligat and in Paris.
ly, almost realistic works to
It is noteworthy that Da-
surrealism, mysticism and
li’s last refuge is also locat-
later works, which reflected
ed in the museum - the crypt
his interest in science. Aside
where he is buried is located
from Salvador Dalí’s works,
straight in the museum hall.
there are works of other art-
That was the artist’s will —
ists from Dalí’s own collec-
he wanted people to walk
tion and the Gala-Salvador
through along his grave.
Dalí Foundation — more than
1,500 paintings, drawings,
sculptures, installations, ho-
lograms and photographs; as
T h e p rov i n c e o f G i ro n a i s l o c a t e d b e t we e n B a rc e l o n a a n d t h e F r a n c e -
S p a i n b o rd e r a n d h a s t wo w o r l d -f a m o u s t o u r i s t d e s t i n a t i o n s — C o s t a
B r av a a n d G i ro n a P y re n e e s . Yo u c a n g o ove r t h e re a ny t i m e o f t h e
ye a r, a n d t h e l e i s u re o p p o r t u n i t i e s a re v i r t u a l l y l i m it l e s s: M e d i e v a l
c it i e s , C a t a l a n A r t N o u ve a u a n d S a l v a d o r D a l í; 2 4 5 g o l d e n s a n d
b e a c h e s , 3 7 o f w h i c h a re a w a rd e d w it h t h e E U B l u e F l a g b e a c h a w a rd;
2 6 m u s e u m s a n d ove r h a l f a t h o u s a n d c u l t u r a l a t t r a c t i o n s; s i x t e e n
re s t a u r a n t s re c o g n i z e d w it h t we n t y M i c h e l i n s t a rs a n d exc l u s i ve
h o t e l s; n a t u r a l p a r ks o c c u py i n g a l m o s t a t h i rd o f t h e re g i o n . T h i s
l a n d i s l i ke a j e w e l r y b ox n o t d a z z l i n g yo u w it h i t s g l i t t e r i m m e d i a t e l y,
b u t it is s o n i ce to g e t o u t it s j e we l r y o n e by o n e a n d eva l u a te
unhurriedly the uniqueness of each item.