The Final Years

This documentary makes for a good introduction for who do not know much about Dali.  In other words, it puts everything in perspective.  Furthermore, the interviews by Surrealists helps give this documentary a layered feel.  However, they do not explain why Gala lived separately from Salvador during her last years.  Did it come from her failing health?  Did they have irreconcilable differences?  What happened? 

On the last footage, I hated that they carted out a bedridden Dali just to show him praising the Spanish Royalty.  It reminded me too much of my grandfather’s last days.  While my grandfather did not have Parkinson’s, he could not remember anyone.  Not to mention the reporters shoving microphones in the man’s face.  It made me sick.

Among High Society and Counterculture

Again, this documentary emphasizes the love that Dali had for Gala.  However, the editors treat the commercials and the scandal of the blank pages with only Dali’s signature as a prelude to a downfall. 

I hope I can buy “A Dali Primer” on Kindle

We now see Dali fully ensconced among the Beautiful People.  By the way, I would donate a kidney to hear the conversation between Gala and Dali over who could wear the horse head.

Nice to see Dawn Ades providing insight on Dali’s later years.  Furthermore, only Dali could see Atomic Bombs and Jesus on the same level.

Had to do some changes

You should see the documentary now.  My apologies due to my commentary looking a little disjointed.

The trial revealed how Dali delved further into Surrealism while his fellow Surrealists tried to act serious.  Or did Dali want to show how he had just as much of a legitimate standing in the group by playing this character?

On the other hand, Dali reminds me of Groucho Marx when elaborating on his ‘apolitical’ views. 

 This documentary’s choice of country music while introducing St. Petersburg, Florida bowled me over.  I think they wanted to show what a surreal choice that the people picked for the official Dali Museum.  However, the way Dali’s patrons talk, it put the artist in this place as the gateway for people interested in avant-garde art.

The Persistence of Camembert Cheese

The Persistence of Memory in Dali’s own words.  Plus, it amazes me that the Surrealists balked at Dali’s Paranoia-Critical Theory.  This rings especially true after reading some of Revolutions of the Mind, a book about André Breton.  Also, I wonder if Breton ever reconsidered Surrealism after Dali rendered his unsanitized ideas of the movement on painting.  Furthermore, I hope Dali lied about kicking a blind man.  Finally, it amazes me how Dali accused Breton of his “bourgeois” nature yet he loved money. 

By the way, I never thought I’d write this, but the photograph at 0:47 makes Dali look handsome.  He has a nice profile.  Furthermore, the love and devotion that the Surrealist had for Gala never fails to overwhelm me.

The Introduction of Gala

Image via Photobucket and krokmitten

Dali feels so impenetrable.  This man hides behind the cover of Surrealism.  I write this because even though I am reading his three autobiographies, I still feel like I do not grasp him.  In this section, we see that Dali will do something when people offer money, even when he finds it “vulgar”. 

The Arena of Salvador Dali

Smart to have Dali’s own words narrate this documentary.  The seeds of Salvador’s surrealism take root in this section.  I must say, I will never look at that Millais painting the same way again. 

While I am working…

enjoy watching segments of Arena, a documentary on Salvador Dali. 

I find it intriguing that Dali runs between extreme humility and extreme arrogance.  However, it does leave one in crushing despair over what happened during his declining years. 

By the way, why the title Arena?  Does it come from the grand scale that revolves around Dali?