Must We Burn Dali? I’ve always found Dali, in every stage of his career, to be an absolute, unattractive bore. When I first discovered surrealism nothing turned me off more than his flamboyance and showmanship. It is my opinion that the bad in Dali far exceeds the good. His faux-individualism, which transformed him into a conformist, fascist, capitalist, Catholic, and professional artist, has caused more confusion about surrealism than any other cancer. If you had the opportunity to erase him from the history of surrealism, would you? Would it be worth it, and what would it change? Perhaps I’m being a provocateur by posting this question but, hypothetically speaking, would you burn Dali?Show results
Hey Brandon,
I voted no not because I disagree with your opinion of him, but because his critical paranoia technique holds some value to me. So even though he’s 99% shit there is 1% of corn in the mix.
Dali barbeque?
No.
And you will discover I am not particularly interested in Dali except in passing on his ca. 1930's contribs. some faint amusement. His only worthwhile work was with Bunuel with whom he struggled bitterly (over the anti-clerical issues, apparently). That and a few canvases.
Everything about him reeks of insincerity. Apart from his
paranoia-critical method (which no one has followed up on)
he seems to derail Surrealism at every turn. Yet he remains
a focus for younger artists who are dazzled by his showmanship -- at times entertaining, but always myopic–
BUT-- if you try to suppress him you end up martyring him.
Let history pass him into the oblivion he rightly deserves.
So I vote no. Let him disintegrate on his own–––
Brandon, Dali was already badly burned in the 80's.
Brandon, nothing is more potent than being burned by love. Dali had no love. Here is true love: "You see, I am raving mad and convinced that I never admitted anything to you, that I could keep this secret with all my heart.Ridiculous child,ah,don't make fun of me. This morning,for example,would you believe that I went into Naville's bedroom and that there were two photo's of you, in his room,in Naville's room, two photos in which you looked so tender, so noble, photos by ManRay,and it's absurd, and I should never tell you and I am ashamed: but I have been so jealous that I could scream, jealous, that's right. Sad,also,so sad I could die... Sometimes,if I close my eyes, I remember yours, I remember two or three faces I have seen you wear; and I ask myself if I dreamt it all and yet I feel that there is something in you that belongs to me and no one else, and then life seems so unfair,crazy,crazy. Yes,truly you belong to me, like my light, oh my shining light". Louis Aragon in a letter to Denise Levy. Now Dali could never bring himself to expose his love like this, that is why he was burned. So dark.
Brandon, it was an excerpt from published letters
Brandon, it was an excerpt from published letters that Jennifer Mundy noted in the (not that good) book, "Surrealism desire unbound". Brandon, by the way, I like your bulletin from your group, Portland Surrealists, well written.
Re: Must We Burn Dali?
I must confess to having added my vote in favour of burning Dali. For two reasons... One, he was a neo-fascist @#%$ whose showmanship and superficiality has done immense damage to the way surrealism is seen by the 'general public'; and two, a nice little blaze would help keep me warm - the gas to my flat has been switched off for the past two days and I haven't got any heating or hot water!
Cheers, Jay.
Re: Must We Burn Dali?
Glad to see you'll be joining me at the barbaque, Jay.
BTW folks, unfortunately I can't control the censorship of certain words like @#%$ or @#%$. I don't want people to think that I'm censoring them, so I'm adding this note.
Time Travel incineration of Dali
Brandon, Jay, et al:
I am in favor of travelling back in time and burning Dali AFTER he contributed his first few years in the surrealist movement. The focus on paranoia-critical activity, and his first image-related contributions can remain within surrealism.
Yes--he painted the fascist Spanish ambassador's portrait, decorated trendy shops in NY, said racist things about black music, and had the gall to associate himself with surrealism after the others had said shove off.
In the spirit of Time Traveller's Potlach, I say we burn Dali around 1936-38....though since I don't have my Dali history fresh in me head, those dates could be more or less correct.
Re: Time Travel incineration of Dali
>>In the spirit of Time Traveller's Potlach, I say we burn Dali around 1936-38....though since I don't have my Dali history fresh in me head, those dates could be more or less correct.
Ah, a happy compromise! Just so long as I can warm my hands over the blaze!!!
Re: Time Travel incineration of Dali
I'm not sufficiently aware enough of his works to make a valuable judgement, but, in the past, I've said he was a hack, based on what I have seen and read by him, and I wouldn't retract that statement.
Must We Burn Dali?
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