1936 Salvador Dalí
For Emily who likes decorative lobsters.
In the early 1930s, Dalí promoted the idea of the Surrealist object, of which this is a classic example. The Surrealists valued the mysterious and provocative effect of such unexpected conjunctions. Dalí, in particular, believed that his objects could reveal the secret desires of the unconscious. Lobsters and telephones had strong sexual connotations for him, and he drew a close analogy between food and sex. He made Lobster Telephone for Edward James, the British collector who was the most active patron of Surrealist artists in the 1930s.
(From the display caption July 2008 Tate Modern)
3 comments:
I remember the first time I moved to Moncton (#1 of 3 thus far) being absolutely astonished amazed and amused by all the kitsch lobster items that were to be had. I think all my family got lobster-themed gifts that Christmas, including a lobster comb for my sister and a lobster harmonica for my mother. NB Tel should get on board with a lobster cell phone, available in raw or cooked hues.
Love your lobster... and the 19 series is wonderful also... will be back ! If you added the "followers" gadget I'd be happy to follow your blog, it makes it easy to see when a new post appears...
Did Dali know that a female lobster can mate only just after she sheds her shell and also that she does the choosing of her mate?
Did he think that this phone symbolized a female's emotional openness and that it is usually she who must initiate the calls?
Or was he simply thinking of the claws in his contract with James?
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