New exhibition in Mexico City explores Dalí's dreamlike stagecraft

Mexico City is now home to a new exhibition, 'Dalí, escenografía de un sueño' (Dalí, Scenography of a Dream), at the Palacio de la Autonomía of UNAM in the historic center. The exhibition delves into the surrealist world of Spanish artist Salvador Dalí, with a particular focus on his collaboration with British filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock.

The centerpiece of the exhibition is the exploration of their work together on the 1945 film 'Spellbound.' Visitors can experience this connection through various displays, including large-format photographs of Dalí and Hitchcock, and sculptures like 'Paranoia' and 'The Suspended Identity.' Holograms of the artist and director even appear in a darkened room, explaining the film's significance.

Across eight rooms, the exhibition showcases over 80 original works by Dalí, encompassing lithographs, sculptures, prints, drawings, books, and paintings. Highlights include iconic pieces such as the 'Mae West Lips Sofa,' the 'Venus de Milo with Drawers,' and 'Space Elephant.' The exhibition also features prints interpreting scenes from 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Hamlet.'

A particularly spectacular display is the 10-meter long, 5-meter high painting created for 'Spellbound' in 1945. The exhibition concludes with a virtual reality experience, immersing visitors in a desert valley with anthropomorphic towers and Dalí's 'The Elephants,' accompanied by the artist's voice. Outside the venue, the large sculpture 'Dance of Time II' is also on display.