Media Centre

The opening of the Spanish artist and Surrealist Icon, Salvador Dali’s exhibition had witnessed a huge turnout. The exposition, which was organized by King Abdullah Economic City in cooperation with Tamer Group, had received over thousands visitors including 300 art enthusiasts. The large attendance proved the success of this first exhibition in the Kingdom which will be held until April 6^th at the visitor center in KAEC. The attendees were greatly impressed with the showcase and the visual display of Dali’s artwork.

The establishment of the exhibition comes in light of the City’s support for innovative local and international cultural initiatives. The exhibition that is included more than 34 art pieces, witnessed a remarkable response from the crowd especially towards Dali’s (Persistence of Memory) that is considered his most famous work. It depicts a number of melting clocks in a serene landscape.

Group CEO and MD of King Abdullah Economic City, Mr. Fahd Al-Rasheed stated:”displaying the artworks of Dali within the City’s border, is considered an artistic event that enhances the City’s concept of following the example of grand cities that pay attention to local and international works of art.” He added:“such events allow art enthusiasts from various parties; art universities and organizations or fine art institutes, to closely observe Surrealism and to see the outcomes of the international artistic movements of other nations. We have seen a great deal of eagerness in the exhibition as people raced to Dali’s paintings.”

From his side, Mr. Ayman Tamer, Chairman and Managing Partner of Tamer Group, valued how King Abdullah Economic City has embraced this first of its kind exhibition in the Kingdom. He considers observing artworks at Dali’s level an opportunity for the interested parties of Saudi’s community to get acquainted with the artist’s work. He said: “King Abdullah Economic City has been chosen as the location for its high standards and qualities of services and facilities, in addition to its contemporary and modern features that make it a touristic front where all the international standards are available.”

He also assured that one of the reasons behind Tamer Group’s organization of the exhibition is strengthening the “From Art to Art” initiative, which is concerned with supporting Saudi artists. It was launched by the “SA’AID” program as part of the initiatives that encourage local art through strategic partnerships with interested experts in the cultural and artistic fields, as part of social responsibility.

About Salvador Dali: He is a Spanish artist (Master of Surrealism) who lived in 1904-1989. He is considered one of the most important artists of the 20^th century; his work is characterized by the shock it causes the viewer and by its form and strangeness. He is also known for his peculiar personality and writings that touch upon the unbelievable. Dali’s most prominent life event is considered to be meeting the poet and psychologist, Andre’ Breton in Paris whom had organized the “Surrealist Manifesto” in 1924, which is regarded as the foundation of Surrealism. The term surreal as defined by poet Guillaume Apollinaire in 1917, means “above reality.”