Cubans Get a Dose of Surrealism at Dali Exhibit

BY MARY MURRAY

HAVANA, CUBA -- Art appraiser Alex Rosenberg has spent decades hanging the forbidden fruit of Cuban art in New York galleries. This week, he opened the minds of Cuban art lovers by exhibiting a collection of the work of the surrealist painter Salvador Dali (1904-1989) in Havana. It is the first time a major collection of the Spanish-born surrealist has been shown on the island.

The exhibit is entitled “Memories of Surrealism” and opened at the National Museum of Fine Arts.

Viewers enjoying the "Memories of Surrealism" at the Museum of Fine Arts in Havana. The exhibit comprises major works by the late surrealist painter Salvador Dalí.

“It is a very important exhibition because it illustrates the flexibility that Dali had”, said Rosenberg, who selected 95 lithographs and etchings from five different periods that span 50 years from Dali’s portfolio. Rosenberg’s goal was to give “the people here the opportunities to see the range of Dali´s work”, a man he describes as a “genius” and “personal friend”.

In the catalogue distributed at this week’s opening, Rosenberg reminisces about one of their favorite New York haunts, the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis Hotel where he first met Dali and commissioned original pieces. Rosenberg also published over 150 editions of original Dali prints.

Many of the Dalis displayed in Havana come from Rosenberg’s personal collection. He is also the president of the Salvador Dali Research Center, sponsor of “Memories of Surrealism”.

Wilfredo Benitez, of Cuba’s Ludwig Foundation, an organization that promotes Cuban art, believes this exhibit is a milestone for Cubans drawn to Dali’s work, especially because few people can afford the luxury of visiting museums in other parts of the world.

Kentucky exchange student Naomi Williams plans to see the exhibit this weekend. “After all the terrible news this week from the Ukraine and Gaza, I need to experience something that reminds me there is beauty in the world.”

Paul Gauguin 1.7 Million at Auction

When Menzies Art Brands director Rod Menzies caught wind of the sale of a long lost Brett Whiteley painting in New York in May, he expected much more competition.

He was braced for a fight from collectors, institutions and auction houses to secure the 1968 work, Paul Gauguin on the Eve of His Attempted Suicide, Tahiti, which had been held in the US since its creation by Whiteley, one the most collectable of Australian artists on the current market.

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Salvador Dali from Dick Cavett Show

Salvador Dali explains his use of the Rhino and Anteater in his works. Of course Dick Cavett and the audience have no idea what he is talking about. Listen to his words carefully and you will hear his logic and why he represents these animals in his works.

$20 million art exhibit on display in Cape Coral

NBC-2.com WBBH News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral

Blog sponsored by ArtbyDan.com 

CAPE CORAL, FL - $20 million in world renowned artwork is on display right here in Southwest Florida.  Picasso, Dali and Warhol - those are all names you can see in a new art exhibit in Cape Coral.

"It's probably the most financially valuable commercial exhibition that's taken place in Southwest Florida history in a fine art gallery," Modern to Pop and Beyond Exhibition curator Eric Ian Hornak Spoutz said.

The world renowned artwork now hangs at Gallery 928 in the Westin Cape Coral Resort. 

"We have very special security systems within the space here, not unlike what you would find in a museum," Spoutz said.

It's an exhibition of modern to pop art and beyond that showcases dozens of famous photographs and famous paintings. 

"This is the last photo shoot that was taken of John Lennon before he was assassinated," Spoutz said. "These are by Salvador Dali who's one of the founding surrealist artists." 

And it is all for show and for sale; with some of the most expensive pieces selling for upwards of $4 million.

"It's absolutely incredible to have a piece of history like this here," Spoutz said.

Exhibition creators say the big price tags will bring buyers from around the world to Southwest Florida. 

"People purchase it for social and political status. Or, of course in many cases, they purchase it because they just love it," Spoutz said.

The exhibit is free to see.  It starts Friday night at 6 p.m. and will run until January 2, 2015. 

Artfully done images of Japanese actors from the 1950's and 60's

Images with Tishiro Mifune and other actors from the 1950's

and 60's.

Subject: Samurai

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Rino Gonzalez hand painted photo realism

"Classic Reds"

by 

Rino Gonzalez

This is a one of a kind original.

Click image above for more info about how to 

obtain original or limited edition works by this artist.