PULSE / Lifestyle
The Dali Museum 1 Dali Boulevard, St. Petersburg, FL 727-823-3767 |
www.thedali.org
Located in downtown St. Petersburg, The Dali Museum pays tribute to the life and art of Salvador Dali, one of the most intriguing, eccentric, and polarizing artists of the twentieth century. Opened in 1982, the museum boasts the most comprehensive private collection of Dali’s work in the world, and welcomes over 200,000 visitors each year. Dali’s artwork, particularly the work from his surrealist period, portrays striking and bizarre images which seem to mimic the dreamlike vagaries of the subconscious mind. The most famous of these works is The Persistence of Memory, the painting featuring several drooping, melting clocks in a surreal landscape. However, his brilliant artwork is not the sole reason that Dali has remained such a popular cult figure through the years. His larger-than-life personality was as undeniable as his talent. In photos, Dali is almost always wearing his ubiquitous long cape, walking with stick in hand, sporting a manic, wild-eyed expression and a cartoonish upturned, waxed mustache. He was known for wildly outlandish behavior, such as always keeping the pens of fans when he signed autographs, and often referring to himself in the third person. The eccentric artist was once famously quoted as saying, “Every morning upon waking, I experience a supreme pleasure: that of being Salvador Dali.” Today, residents and visitors of SW Florida can experience the supreme pleasure of viewing Dali’s thought- provoking body of work, seven days a week, at The Dali Museum.
The Southwest Florida Museum of History 2031 Jackson Street, Fort Myers, FL 239-321-7430 |
www.swflmuseumofistory.com
Alfred Eisenstaedt, Premiere at La Scala, Milan | Gelatin silver print, 25.5 x 21 inches | Collection of the Naples Museum of Art. 1999.3.004. | Bequest of Herbert and Ruth Abramson.
Since 1982, historic downtown Fort Myers has been home to The Southwest Florida Museum of History, built upon the dilapidated skeleton of the old Atlantic Coastline Railroad passenger depot. From the early days of the Paleo and Calusa Indians to the forgotten Army airports of World War II, a variety of exhibits and artifacts tell the story of this city’s humble beginnings and depict a detailed picture of SW Florida’s fascinating history. Visitors can also view authentic replicas of a pioneer “cracker” house, a 1926 La France fire pumper, and a 1929 private Pullman rail car. An extensive artifacts collection details early life in this area, including military and agricultural artifacts, and a display of 1,200 pieces of depression and carnival glass. In addition to its many permanent exhibits, the museum is currently featuring a traveling exhibit called Mambo Man: A Tribute to Pedro ‘Cuban Pete’ Aguilar, which colorfully documents the life and times of the influential Latin dance king.
The Naples Museum of Art 5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard, Naples, FL 239-597-1900 |
www.thephil.org
Collier County Museum
The mission statement of The Naples Museum of Art is “
...to be a visual arts center for people of all ages and backgrounds with an emphasis on modern and contemporary art.” Their modern emphasis is a wonderful juxtaposition with the museum’s more antiquities-oriented local counterparts. The three- story visual arts center includes 30,000 square feet of museum space featuring 15 different galleries and a gorgeous glass-dome conservatory. The ornate entrance gates were fashioned by renowned metal artist Albert Paley and welcome patrons into a beautiful landscape of world-class paintings, sculptures, and more, including spectacular chandeliers and a Persian ceiling by acclaimed glass artist Dale Chihuly. Ashley Carter, the museum’s Senior Public Relations Correspondent, mentions that the museum recently reopened on October 1, 2011, after the off-season months. Carter, along with the rest of the staff, is very excited about several upcoming exhibits during the 2011-12 season. Perhaps the most prominent is Edgar Degas: The Private Impressionist which promises to offer an intimate look at both the life and work of the 19th century French master artist, Edgar Degas. For individuals also interested in the performing arts, The Philharmonic Center for the Arts is located adjacent to the Naples Museum of Art and the Phil’s 2011-12 season will be jam-packed with Broadway quality performances.
Annual USO show at the Naples Depot
Pulse Magazine SWFL | 15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76