Confusion, awe, inadequacy, inspiration… I felt it all during my first visit to The Dali Museum in St. Pete.
After three consecutive visits to the museum in three weeks, I knew The Dali had a hold on me. Each experience is a chance to discover another facet of the museum and develop a deeper appreciation for art (especially the wild and wacky) while diving into the complexities and amazement of Salvador Dali’s paintings. And it’s all right here in Central Florida!
While Salvador Dali’s works are no doubt the centerpiece of the museum, there are countless experiences to be had that you just can’t enjoy anywhere else. Immerse yourself in these experiences and prepare to emerge with new wisdom and art appreciation.
1. STEP INSIDE A PAINTING
Donning a Virtual Reality headset and headphones, you’re transported to a world of eerie sounds, visual delights, towering rock formations, a vast desert landscape and small vignettes of moments captured in time.
Dreams of Dali is the museum’s free virtual reality experience allowing you to travel into Dali’s painting, Archaeological Reminiscence of Millet’s “Angelus.” For three minutes, you’ll be able to traipse around in the painting with 360-degree views of your surroundings. Acting as voyeur, you’ll witness small pieces of the painting come to life engaging all of your senses.
Pro tip: if there isn’t a long line, do it a second time! This gives you the chance to travel to all 16 points of the painting.
2. MAKE A WISH
In the outdoor Avant-garden, a serene ficus tree, the Wish Tree, stands proudly before the entrance to the labyrinth. Before you leave, enjoy the silent ritual of making a wish or naming a dream while tying your admission wristband to one of the streamers hanging from the branches.
3. DINE INSIDE THE ENIGMA
After stepping inside the museum, you’ll enter a large open room. Light pours in through triangular glass windows comprising The Enigma, a bubble-shaped architectural feature that wraps around the back, side and top of the building.
You’ll find the museum’s café, Café Gala (named after Dali’s wife and muse), on the first floor amidst a wall of glass windows.
The food is a work of art, beautifully presented and artfully prepared. I recommend ordering a few of the small plates to dine tapas-style with a friend. It’s an invitation to break bread, discuss art, connect in real time and, ok, indulge in a mid-afternoon drink (the sangria is delicious).
4. SEE DALI’S PROGRESSION AS AN ARTIST
Prior to visiting the museum, I had no idea of the depth and breadth of Salvador Dali’s work. I was familiar with the famous melting clocks, but visiting the Dali and seeing the 96 paintings made me feel a cocktail of emotion as an artist.
Seeing the progression of Dali’s paintings from early works to surrealism and to the gigantic Masterworks of his later career is fascinating. It’s also humbling to view as an artist.
As you progress through the museum, you’ll see Dali find his footing as an artist, beginning with impressionism and emulation. His work continues to shift as he dabbles in subtle exaggerations of form that hint at what’s to come. Then, you’ll get an up close look at his mastery of surrealism, double imagery and the complexity and scientific/mathematical elements of his paintings.
5. DISCOVER NEW AND MASTER ARTISTS
Besides the museum’s vast collection of Dali’s work, there’s an additional gallery, which features student exhibitions and occasionally the work of other important artists.
At the time of my visit, the work on display was a photography exhibit from Florida landscape photographer Clyde Butcher. The museum commissioned him to travel to Spain, capturing images of Dali’s home and the landscapes that inspired him. It’s a chance to discover the fragments of reality hiding in plain sight in Dali’s surreal works. (This show is on through November 2018.)
Past exhibitions have included Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.
6. STROLL THE OUTDOOR AVANT-GARDEN
Here’s a fun fact: admission to the museum isn’t required to explore the outdoor gardens or dine at the café. The gardens are open 24/7, too.
Weave your way through the peaceful labyrinth, rest on a bench that appears to be melting (complete with melting clock), leave a wish or dream at the Wish Tree or just relax while watching the water.
7. APPRECIATE THE UNIQUE ARCHITECTURE
Climb a winding spiral staircase seemingly leading you directly to the sky, watch the reflections shift on the outside windows of The Enigma and discover small details visible to the keen eye. Like Dali’s home in Spain, the museum building features quirks and details making it a piece of art.
OTHER NOTABLE MUSEUM EXPERIENCES
• The museum stays open until 8pm on Thursdays. Arrive after 5pm for discounted admission ($10).
• Take a yoga class every Sunday at 10:30am. The cost is $15 and you can visit the museum afterwards for an extra $10.
• Sunday brunch is served at Cafe Gala every Sunday from 11am-2pm. The menu changes weekly.
TIPS + TRICKS FOR YOUR VISIT
The museum is open daily from 10am-5:30pm and Thursdays until 8pm.
Regular admission is $24, free for kids under 5, $10 for kids 6-12 and $17 for students 13-17.
Parking is $10, but there are loads of street parking spaces within walking distance. Download the Parkmobile app so you can pay for parking and add extra time to your space without having to walk back to a meter.
Plan to spend at least 3 hours at the museum.
Arrive as close to opening as possible and visit on a weekday morning for lower crowds. You’ll have more time to experience the museum at your own pace. Weekends are very busy and not as enjoyable.
Don’t skip the free audio guides! Headsets are available downstairs. The audio tour will provide you with valuable insight on most of the paintings. You can also access the audio tour on your phone by downloading the museum’s app.
Take a free tour with a docent, too! Tours are offered daily and include commentary not included in the audio guides. The tour is a great way to learn more about the symbolism within select works. (Feel free to ask museum staff about the paintings too, they really know their stuff!)
Visiting with kids? The free audio tour includes a special tour narrated just for kids (the Mustache Tour), and there’s also an interactive kids’ play area inside on the bottom floor. There’s also a scavenger hunt.
FYI: I was invited to The Dali for a free tour and meet and greet with Clyde Butcher during one of my visits. The other two visits were on my own dime. I wasn’t asked to write a blog post. I just love the museum so much I had to share!
