This
film is different than any other films we have seen so far because Dali himself
is featured in it. There are actual interviews from the artist, which is unlike
anything we have seen so far. It is also different in that it is set up like an
actual documentary. With the other films, I felt like they were more of movies.
This one made me feel like I was watching an actual documentary for class. I
originally thought it was boring in that sense, but it got better as it went
on. The 5 best ways that Low delivered information were interviews, narration,
the news, books, and paintings. The most effective was (1) interviews, (2)
books, (3) narration, (4) news, (5) paintings.
One of
the most interesting paintings from this film was “The Soft Construction with
Boiled Beans.” As if the title isn’t interesting enough, the painting
represents the Spanish Civil War, before the war had happened. According to
Wikipedia, Dali painted this 6 months before the war had even begun. It was
made with oil on canvas. The first thing that catches my eye is the monster-like
figure in the middle. It is attached to another monster-like figure and it
seems to be fighting itself. This painting represents the repercussions and devastation
of the Spanish Civil War. There were many horrors and tragedies during the war
and Dali is representing those through this monster. Dali is quoted saying that
the reason the beans are included is, “one could not
imagine swallowing all that unconscious meat without the presence of some mealy
and melancholy vegetable.”
I think
living surreally changes the relationship between the art, artists, and
audience in the sense that the artists may have all been inspired by a certain
thing for a painting, yet the audience does not pick up on its purpose. It
creates an avenue for misunderstanding this way. I think it is acceptable to
paint in irrational ways. Art does not have to fit into a certain image or
frame, it can be anything the artist feels it should be. Nothing about that is
unacceptable. It is also acceptable to live in irrational ways. What is
rational to one person, may be irrational to another. If living surreally
worked for them then it is acceptable.
What is the most interesting thing you learned about Dali?
The most interesting thing I learned about Dali that I did not already know is that he was pretty much considered too radical for the radicals. I loved that section of the film when he was booted from the club. How can that work? You paint from a stance, yet Dali's stance was apparently too radical. I love the hypocrisy. Also, I love that Dali did not consider himself a good painter!! The interview was funny with him as an older man. With such incredible works of art under your belt, how can one not consider him/herself a good painter? He was a very strange man which is one of the reasons I find him so interesting.
ReplyDelete“The Soft Construction with Boiled Beans.” That painting is a little disturbing to me but at the same time very interesting. It looks as thought he painted two men or monsters fighting against each other. He is very similar to Caravaggio in my opinion.
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