In Florida’s Dali Museum all is about Salvador Dali, the most important artist of the 20th century. It not only celebrates and represents the artistic life and production of the great artist, but also it is as an artistic treasure with its building, rich collection and library.
The story of the Museum dates back to 1945, when the founders of the Museum, Reynold and Eleanor Morse bought their first Dali painting. Following this first acquisition, they grew their collection and culminated their friendship with Dali for 40 years, which resulted in the establishment of a museum in 1984. Today, the Museum collection consists of over 2.100 works of the artist. From his oil paintings to original drawings, his notebooks to sculptures and prints, the Dali Museum is a place for the presentation and preservation of Dali’s name and works.
The Museum hosts its visitors in a new, 3-floor building which was opened to the public on January 11, 2011. With a solid rectangular structure and extension called ‘Enigma’ which is made up of 1.062 triangular pieces of glass, this building harmonizes the simple with the fantastic. Another architectureal feature that not only complements the building but also represents Dali is a helical staircase that recalls Dali’s interest in DNA molecules and spirals.
The Museum also has a library, which provides a platform for the study of Dali, Surrealism and Avant-garde. Located on the 2nd floor of the Museum, the library offers a rich archive for researchers and scholars, and bring them together with over 7.000 volumes of catalogues, video and sound recordings and books.
All the galleries are located on the 3rd floor of the Museum. The ‘’James Family Wing’’ holds permament collection of the Dali works, while the ‘’Hough Family Wing’’ houses special temporary exhibitions. The Museum also has a special garden named ‘’Avant-Garden’’ which provides visitors a space for learning and interaction. The Mathematical garden allows students to explore the relationship between mathematics and nature, while the labyrith placed in the south corner of the garden allows exploration.