The Universe of Dalí – Salvador Dalí -an exhibition review by 2nd year student Anamaria Cătuna

The Hintz House is hosting, over the course of several months in Cluj-Napoca, the unique exhibition "The Universe of Dali," which consists of 170 works by the famous Catalan artist Salvador Dali. The exhibition will take place from December 20, 2024, to May 18, 2025, and includes lithographs, graphics, engravings, sculptures, miniatures made of gold and diamonds, as well as a VR experience. "The Universe of Dali" is one of the most extensive exhibitions in Romania dedicated to the Catalan artist, inviting viewers on an unforgettable journey through the works of the eccentric artist, which range from drawings to furniture, sculptures, and other artworks made with a variety of materials such as gold, diamonds, bronze, and glass. The exhibition is hosted in the Hintz House, an iconic building in Cluj-Napoca, which also houses the first pharmacy in the city, now known as the Pharmacy Museum. The visitor’s journey culminates with the VR experience, which immerses the viewer in a unique and unforgettable adventure into Dali’s world, a world filled with surreal oddities and extravagance.

Surrealism is a literary and artistic movement that emerged in the 1920s in France and later spread to all countries around the world. The movement emphasizes the spontaneous activity of imagination and the exploration of irrational realms in artistic creation. The movement is still active today and continues to explore the subconscious and the irrational in artistic work. Salvador Dalí was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, and through his bizarre creations, filled with fantastical elements and vibrant colors, he brought Surrealism to its peak. Salvador Dalí was a versatile artist, exploring sculpture, painting, literature, furniture design, goldsmithing, as well as the advertising world, and he significantly impacted each field with his extravagance. He permanently etched his name into the history of art, being a unique personality and phenomenon.

Dalí also dabbled in illustrations for comic books, having a vast repertoire of images and allegories that told stories through literature. He collaborated with major publishers and editors, using a variety of printing techniques to bring his vision to a wider audience. Some of these series can be seen at the “Dalí Universe,” including "Moses and Monotheism," "Much Ado About Shakespeare," and "Marquis de Sade."

         In addition to the aforementioned illustrations, visitors to the "Dalí Universe" exhibition can also view the artist's lesser-known sculptures, graphics, furniture, and goldsmithing works displayed across the three floors of the exhibition. Moreover, on the top floor, visitors can experience a VR presentation of Dalí's world, narrated by Dalí himself.

The exhibition is well-organized across all three floors. On the first floor, large sculptures such as "The Woman of Time," "Saint George and the Dragon," or "The Man with the Butterfly" stand out, alongside smaller works like "Venus’s Otorhinological Head" or "Hysterical and Aerodynamic Female Nude." The walls feature graphic works as well as "The Marquis de Sade." On the second floor, there is a special section dedicated to smaller sculptures, goldsmithing, furniture design, and other series of illustrations. On the top floor, visitors can experience the hypnotic VR journey through Dalí’s world.

As a passionate admirer of Salvador Dalí’s work, experiencing this exhibition brought me immense joy. The works are truly sensational, bizarre, and intriguing; the universe is fabulous, and the way the exhibition is structured immerses you in an extravagant labyrinthine world.

The "Universe of Dali" exhibition is truly unique and represents a significant opportunity for any visitor, whether or not they are a fan of the Catalan artist’s work.