On December 2, 2023, the Eye of Dali · Centennial Dali Divine Song Series Print Exhibition was held at the Art Centre of Art Centre. The exhibition was hosted by Art Centre of Art Centre, hosted by Art Centre of Shenzhen, and supported by Shenzhen Propaganda and Cultural Development Special Fund. This exhibition displays the "Divine Song" series of prints by Salvador Dali.
From 1951 to 1960, Dali was invited by the Italian government to create this series of prints for his representative work "Divine Comedy" to commemorate the birth of Dante, the most famous Italian poet. With "Inferno", "Purgatorio" and "Paradiso", Dali created a total of 100 watercolor paintings, using woodblock printing technology. The engraver carved 3,500 woodblocks for these works, with about 35 pieces of each painting. It was finally completed on November 23, 1963 and published by LesHeures Claires. The overall exhibition period is from December 2, 2023 to February 18, 2024.
The opening ceremony was divided into two parts - thematic lecture and opening ceremony. Guests such as leaders of Yachang Culture Group, Yachang members, Shenzhen art and cultural industry figures, and Shenzhen local artists attended the opening ceremony.
The first one was the opening lecture, which was taught by Duan Junzhu, deputy secretary-general of the annual meeting of Chinese Art Critics and a researcher at the Contemporary Art Academy of the Chinese Association for the Promotion of Culture and Art Development - "Surrealistic Literature and Art".
He brought everyone a professional academic sharing that is both in-depth and breadth. By displaying representative paintings of surreal artists such as Andre Masson, Magritte, and Dali, he interprets many well-known surreal literature and classic fragments at home and abroad, systematically expounds the development trend of surrealism and the factors that influence its direction, and clearly and vividly presents the ins and outs of surrealism from its birth to its rise. In the second half of the lecture, Duan Jun introduced Dali's artistic style, representative works and unique creations in jewelry, as well as how to become an interpreter of dreams and a painting practitioner of Freud's theory.
Many art lovers and professionals came to the lecture, including Dali's loyal followers. After the lecture, they also shared their own opinions and had in-depth exchanges with Teacher Duan Jun, saying that they benefited a lot.
Deputy Secretary-General of the Annual Meeting of Chinese Art Critics and Researcher of the Contemporary Art Academy of the Chinese Association for the Promotion of Culture and Arts - Duan Jun
After the opening lecture, the exhibition opening ceremony was officially launched. Wang Zi, director of the Art Center of Yachang (Shenzhen) Art Center, deputy secretary-general of the annual meeting of Chinese Art Critics, Duan Jun, researcher of the Contemporary Art Academy of the China Association for the Promotion of Culture and Art Development, Guo Yun, independent curator, Feng Tao, producer of Shenzhen Youth Art Week, Feng Xiaorui, vice president of Shenzhen Youth Artists Association and deputy director of Luohu Art Museum, Gao Chunyu, vice president and secretary-general of Shenzhen Futian District Design Chamber of Commerce, and Li Yanmei, executive president of Shenzhen Futian District Cultural and Creative Industry Association, and other guests attended the event. It is worth mentioning that Li Caijun, president of Yachang Culture Group, personally attended the opening ceremony.
Among them, Wang Zi, director of the Art Center of Yachang (Shenzhen), deputy secretary-general of the annual meeting of Chinese Art Critics, Duan Jun, researcher of the Contemporary Art Academy of the Chinese Association for the Promotion of Culture and Art Development, Guo Yun, independent curator, and Li Cai, president of Yachang Culture Group, came on stage to give relevant speeches.
The first speaker was Prince, the director of the Art Centre (Shenzhen) Art Center and the curator of this exhibition. She first thanked everyone on site for their arrival and introduced the main content and concepts of this time. This was a miraculous collision of the souls of geniuses spanning 700 years, the Renaissance humanistic thoughts and the surreal adventure of the 20th century. Salvador Dali spent 10 years explaining and revealing the exquisiteness of Dante's entire chapter of the poem "Divine Comedy". The literary masterpiece of the 14th century was reproduced in a painting state at the end of the 20th century. It was a stunning, magnificent, weird and amazing artistic experience and adventure.
In addition, she also said: "December is the Print Art Month of the Art Centre of Yachang (Shenzhen) Art Center. Not only will there be this "Dali Eye·Centenary Dali Divine Song Series Print Exhibition", but this month will also hold a rich variety of printmaking related activities, such as book fairs, lectures, handicrafts workshops, etc., to spread print art and culture, so that the public can feel the charm of print art close up."
The director of the Art Centre (Shenzhen) and the curator of this exhibition - Prince
Immediately afterwards, Guo Yun, a well-known critic and independent curator, made a relevant speech. Guo Yun said that behind surrealism is surreal literature. He believes that when people look at an exhibition or work, they can pay more attention to the art, literature, and history behind it, pay attention to the spirit of the era in which the work is located, and appreciate and understand art based on different era backgrounds. During Dali's artistic career, there were many different forms of creation. This exhibition exhibited Dali's relatively typical works. When we look at this batch of print art, we will see many symbols, spirits and imprints of that era.
Independent Curator Guo Yun
Finally, Li Caijun, President of Yachang Culture Group, delivered an important speech on behalf of Yachang Culture Group. He said: "This Dali Exhibition is an artistic feast that integrates humanistic ideas and aesthetic values, and brings opportunities to the general public in Shenzhen to the works of international artists. It not only enriches the spiritual and cultural life of citizens, but also promotes the popularization of public aesthetic education. This exhibition also injects new vitality into Shenzhen's artistic atmosphere and ecological environment, fully reflecting the social responsibility of Yachang (Shenzhen) Art Center as a cultural and artistic landmark in Shenzhen and its vision of continuing to deepen its roots in the cultural field and promoting artistic development."
He also said: "The Art Centre (Shenzhen) will continue to be committed to presenting diverse and open art exhibitions and aesthetic education activities to the public in the future. Through professional art exchanges, we will explore the depth and breadth of art with the public; through the popularization of public welfare culture and art, we will integrate art into the lives of more people. Share and create aesthetic life experiences covering multiple dimensions and multiple perspectives with the public, and jointly build an aesthetic space full of artistic atmosphere and cultural charm."
Li Caijun, President of Yachang Culture Group
After the opening ceremony, for the free time of exhibition, the guests followed the curator's exhibition movement and entered Dali's novel and strange surreal universe, and felt its delicate and gentle humanistic thinking.
Among them, Shenzhen’s local original artists AG and Ye Ya also conducted two linkages on the interactive device of “I am an eye, a Dali eye” on the scene. Taking the “eye” as the shape, it incorporates the exclusive elements or symbols of the artists themselves to fill the gap of “I am an eye, a _____ eye”. Together present an artistic voice place with both spirit and fun, and create a world full of possibilities!
Shenzhen original artist and manager of Ainoga Design AG
Shenzhen native original artist Ye Ya
Travel with Dali's paintings and narrate with Dante's poems.
Traveling between spirituality and philosophy, wandering in the "Divine Comedy"