October 17, 2006

There were 2 posts published on October 17, 2006 (this is page 1 of 1).

Dali Museum

I had some time to myself this morning before my flight to Buffalo, so I opted to visit the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg.

Oh. My. God. That was awesome.

I was somewhat familiar with his work, but seeing it in person completely blew me away. I was thrilled to marvel at each tiny brushstroke in his paintings. The level of detail he painted is just phenomenal. His use of light and shadows is masterful. No art book or print could possibly do his art justice: you simply have to see it for yourself to truly appreciate.

I was amused at the sense of humor evident in his work. His Venus De Milo with Drawers had me laughing out loud. A photo shows seated Dali in a deep-sea diver suit with wine glass balanced on his helmet, surrounded by others (including what appears to be Orson Welles) who don’t seem to be in on the joke.

He also had an intense interest in science, even incorporating DNA strands in some of his later works. Dali was also one of the first artists to use holography in his work.

There is no question the man was a genius. If I’m ever in Spain, I would love to visit the egg-topped Dali Theatre in his hometown of Figueres. And if you ever have the occasion to visit the Tampa-St. Petersburg area, do not – I repeat – do not pass up a chance to visit the Dali Museum.

In Buffalo

I’m in Buffalo now for my next leg of the trip. What little snow is left is piled shoulder-high in wet parking lots around town. Trees still had leaves on them when Sunday’s freak snowstorm hit. The heavy snow subsequently ripped many branches off the trees. Driving the three miles from the airport, the place looked like it had been hit by a hurricane. Power is said to still be flickering in the area, too, with lines still down all over town. Fortunately for me the hotel is still powered up (though some of the staff’s homes are not).

Buffalo is an interesting place, the freaky weather being just one aspect to that. There is so much history to see here, so many stately, turn-of-the-century Victorian homes that have withstood the pounding of countless similar snowstorms.

So much poverty, too, in areas.

I was amused at how many New York accents I heard aroundb Tampa. They fit in so much better here.