Dali versus Warhol

Since it is rather cold outside, I will take you today on an exhibition rather than yet another old town to walk through. We will admire there the works of two amazing artists who changed the course of the history of art, each in his own way.

Salvador Dalí was born in Spain in 1904. He was one of the fathers of surrealism. To be honest, he looked quite surreal himself.

His paintings were never straightforward, showing several things at the same time. None of them clear enough. Like in the Temptation of Saint Anthony.

Actually, sometimes he would deliberately paint two things at the same time, like with Lincoln in Dalivision.

When you come close you see a naked woman looking at the sea. But if you walk back, you will out of a sudden see a portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

The woman on the picture is Dali's wife, Gala. She was his muse and a perfect woman in his eyes.

Dali was interested not only in painting. He was a skilled sculptor. Skilled in his own way of course. This sculpture is called The greatness of Islam.

He was also creating perfumes. Egocentric as he was, the bottle of the perfumes was shaped like Dali's nose and lips.

He has also written a cook book. Full of extravagant recipes like the Casanova coctail.

And if you would invite Dali for a party, he would always be ready to take a drink. Or twenty seven if needed.

Coming from Catalonia, Dali enjoyed seafood and fish. Or both ...

Dali was also the graphic designer behind the classic logo of the Spanish lollipops Chupa Chups – the sweet and bright rendition of a daisy.

Interior design? Architecture? Nothing is beyond the interest of an acomplished artist. A designer sofa ...

... can become the lips of Mae West. It is all a matter of proper perspective.

* * *

Andy Warhol was born in 1928 in USA. He was a front runner of pop art, building close links between art, celebrity and money.

Dali's hallmark was his moustache and Warhol is best known for his white wig.

The most famous work of Warhol are probably the multicolor Marylin Monroe graphics ...

... and the Campbell's soup.

This small object that you could pass in a supermarket without noticing is actually a piece of art.

Just like for Dali, Warhol's interest went far beyond graphic arts. He was a film director.

Though I must say his films were not too close to my personal taste. Way too weird.

But Warhol was also closely embeded in the music industry. His New York City studio called the Silver Factory was the place to be.

If you were lucky to be there in the 1960s, you could meet Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones.

Warhol has designed the cover of their album Sticky Fingers, considered one of their best albums ever. As you can see, Warhol's design was nothing close to shy and timid. In the original version the zip fly could be actually opened.

Warhol designed many album covers, for Blondie ....

... and the Velvet Underground.

And not to be too boringly attached to pop music, Warhol has also designed covers for classical masterpieces.

Because a real artist can work with any topic. Even Saint Apollonia.

Montmartre

Montmartre is a district of Paris located on a hill of the same name. To spare a bit my four legs, we will get there with a funicular train.

There are 2 little green trains, going up and down all day long.

They take normally 35 persons each. Plus a horse of course.

If you believe that a funicalr train is just for the lazy ones, you can always take the steps - be my guest.

Montmartre is best known for the white basilica of Sacred Heart (Sacré-Cœur ). It is relatively new (for Paris standards), since its construction began in 1875 and was finished in 1914.

From the terrace next to the basilica you can have a great view of the city - the hill is 130 meters high.

And another look on the other side.

Unfortunately it is not allowed to take pictures inside the basilica so I can only show you the front.

Montmarte is also famous for being the house of many artists, both those with a worldwide reputation and those that are only known to themselves. You can meet the latter on the vibrant Tertre Square.

Personally, my prefered artist linked to Montmartre is the Marquis of Dalí de Púbol.

The Espace Dalí is a permanent exhibition of his sculptures and engravings, accomodating around 300 original artworks.

My favourite one is probably the space elephant.

Though for obvious reasons I appreciate a lot also Saint George killing the dragon. We horses are so brave!

Some nice ladies are present too.

Dali as you know had his own sense of the right time.

I hope you have enjoyed the trip to Montmartre. Time to move down then.

Around the Saski Park

Last time I have shown you the Saski Park. Its surroundings are also interesting. When you stand with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier behind your back and look to the left, you will see a glimpse of a yellowish building.

Let's move first into this direction to see the monumental National Theater and Opera House.

I like best the horse carriage on top of the entrance. It is a Roman Quadriga, used for chariot racing. I tell you, any horse would like to be part of it.

On the other side of the street you will see another nice building - the Jablonowski Palace.

Before World War II it used to be the City Hall of Warsaw. It was unfortunately completely destroyed during the war. It was only reconstructed in 1997. To give you an impression of how this place was changing you can look at this postcard.

Today, the palace is the seat of some commercial banks who financed its reconstruction.

Just next to the palace, you will see the church of St. Albert and St. Andrew. It is the smallest church in Warsaw. It was also destroyed during World War II end reconstructed only in the 1990s.

Now let's get back to the Tomb and lets walk to the right.

The classical building (that used to be white) is the Zachęta Art Gallery.

And the round building in the back is the Holy Trinity Church. It is the biggest  Augsburg Evangelical church in Warsaw.

My favourite view in this part of the city is the panorama of Zachęta, the Trinity Church, with the Palace of Culture and Science in the backgroung. Something old, something new and the blue sky on top.