 "Air India once gifted painter Salvador Dali a baby elephant. Here’s why")
One of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Salvador Dali’s works will be showcased in an exhibition in New Delhi from today, February 7.
Organised by Bruno Art Group, the travelling exhibition is curated by Christine Argillet and is titled ‘Dali Comes to India’.
This will be the second time his works are being displayed in India, following the first exhibition held in November last year.
Although the artist is not known to have visited India during his lifetime, one of his most well-known connections to the country dates back to 1967, through an association with Air India.
At the time, Air India was among the most prestigious airlines in the world and had gifted Salvador Dali a baby elephant.
Now, you might be wondering how this came to be. Why did Air India gift Dali a baby elephant?
The airline, which was among the most reputed airlines in the world at that time, had gifted a baby elephant to Salvador Dali.
Let’s break it down for you:
Why Air India gifted painter Salvador Dali a baby elephant
In the 1960s, air travel was more than just transportation. It was a luxurious experience. Passengers enjoyed fine cigars, caviar, and Champagne mid-flight.
Air India , known for its patronage of art in post-independence India, built an extensive collection over the years. The airline’s ‘Maharaja Collection’ is said to have begun in 1956 with the purchase of six watercolours by artist B Prabha for Rs 87.50. Over time, the national carrier collected more than 4,000 artworks, according to The Indian Express.
In 1967, Jot Singh, Air India’s public relations officer at the time, happened to meet Salvador Dali in New York City and asked him to design something for the airline. Dali agreed, leading to the creation of a unique unglazed porcelain ashtray. While it is widely believed that 500 of these were produced, the exact number remains debated.
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More Shorts“The reflection of an elephant’s head looks like a swan and the reflection of a swan appears to be an elephant. This is what I have done for the ashtray. The swan upside down becomes an elephant’s head and the elephant inverted - a swan,” the booklet that came along with the ashtray read.
Notably, this ashtray was recently displayed at the National Gallery of Modern Art as part of “Maharaja’s Treasure: Select Works of Art from the Famed Air India Collection”.
These ashtrays were gifted to Air India’s esteemed patrons, including Spain’s former King Juan Carlos.
But when it came to his payment, Dali made an unusual request. He asked for an elephant. But why?
Why Dali wanted an elephant as remuneration
When discussing his fee, the artist asked for an elephant.
He reportedly told Air India officials, “I wish to keep him in my olive grove and watch the patterns of shadows the moonlight makes through the twigs on his back.”
The airline agreed and arranged for a two-year-old elephant to be flown from Bengaluru to Geneva. From there, the young elephant was transported by truck to Cadaques, where Dali lived. Its arrival was celebrated with great hype. The mayor reportedly declared a three-day holiday, and a special parade was held in the town square.
Guests at the celebration were treated to drinks made with wine, pink Champagne, and Indian tea. An Indian astrologer was even flown in to bless the occasion.
Dali had grand ideas for his new companion, including a plan to ride the elephant across the Alps. However, his wife discouraged him from pursuing this adventure.
Unfortunately, the story did not have a happy ending. According to a News18 report, Dali eventually lost interest in the elephant, and the animal was sent to live out its days in a zoo in Barcelona.
The exhibition in Delhi
The travelling exhibition will showcase Salvador Dali’s rare etchings, watercolours, and tapestries from the Pierre Argillet Collection.
The collection features iconic works, including etchings from “Mythologie” and “Les Chants de Maldoror”, along with other surrealist pieces that reflect Dali’s exploration of dreams, subconscious fears, and fantastical imagery.
In “The Songs of Maldoror” series, the exhibition will present 50 prints, including eight reworked plates where Dali incorporated elaborate visions of his childhood traumas. Meanwhile, 16 etchings from the “Mythology” series draw upon ancient Greek symbolism, created using Dali’s “hasard objectif” technique.
A selection of 242 original copper etchings produced between 1960 and 1972, illustrating Dali’s artistic versatility, will also be displayed.
The exhibition will conclude on February 13 before moving to Massarrat by Bruno Art Group from February 15 to March 16.
With inputs from agencies
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