When I was “going to college” on Oahu (i.e. barfing up 18 grand of my parents’ hard-earned money—sorry, Mom) I often visited Tower Records in Kahala. It’s since closed down, which should give you an indication of how long ago this was—so can you forgive me already now, Mom. Mom?
Anyway, there was this great rack of cool postcard books. My favorite was filled with Salvador Dali paintings. I’ve always loved Dali. His surreal images turn me on and get me all giddy with warm and fuzzy creative urges.
Every few days, I’d catch the bus to Kahala and flip longingly through the book and fantasize about all the trippy postcards I could send to friends on Maui. The problem was that the book cost $5. For five bucks I could get a gallon of cheap vodka from Longs. Dilemma? Not really. I chose the vodka.
I mean, I could always drink the vodka and then visit my Dali book. Not to mention, writing letters to friends on cool postcards would kind of suck without alcohol. It was very rational thinking for a slightly disturbed teenager.
Thankfully, I’ve matured a bit. I no longer drink $5 vodka from a plastic jug, and I can appreciate Dali sober almost as much as intoxicated. I’ve even bought a few books filled with his art—hardcovers, even. Yeah, big steps.
This is why I just about peed my pants when I heard about the Salvador Dali Gala that’s being held on Jan. 13 at the Vintage European Posters shop in Ka`anapali.
Alan Dickar, the shop’s head honcho, has acquired the posters that were done up for the opening of the Dali Theater Museum in Spain. The opening of that theater took place on Sept. 28, 1974. It’s been called the “World’s Largest Surrealist Object.”
Dali was so there. Dali probably even touched the posters. Pure speculation, but probably. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Creepy-cool fact about the Dali Theater Museum in Spain: this was Dali’s crowning art achievement. He was so proud of it that he’s been buried under the entrance since he passed away in 1989. How goth is that?
During the Gala, the posters will be sold in special edition boxes. Included are 10 different images plus an official museum guide published by the Gala Foundation. The 75 available sets will be numbered and authenticated.
“The fact that these posters are emerging on Maui and nowhere else in the world makes this a really special event in the Maui art scene,” said Sara Tekula, PR manager of Vintage European Posters.
Are you kidding? That’s an understatement. If you’re a surrealist art fan, this is the greatest art event ever to hit Maui.
During the Gala, you’ll see the Hawai`i premiere of the short fantasy film, The Death of Salvador Dali, starring burlesque dancer (and Marilyn Manson’s wife) Dita Von Teese and directed by fashion photographer Delany Bishop.
Not to mention, if you go you can enjoy Spanish wine and tapas while checking out surrealistic performances in the courtyard. I know, it’s a major step up from drinking cheap vodka and eating vending machine Cheetos while watching Nightmare on Dyke Street with a bunch of horny coeds.
Here’s to Dali and being a grownup. Cheers! MTW
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