Púbol Castle, 18th March 2024
Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí and La Roca Village unveil The Awakening of the Myth: Gala Dalí, a year-long exhibition programme exploring Gala's enigmatic personality through the lens of her fashion archive. Now open to the public, the exhibition redefines Gala's legacy, with contributions from illustrator Carla Fuentes and photographer Jordi Bernadó, among others. It represents a joint commitment to supporting art, fashion, creativity and community.
Exhibition project: a Story Told in Three Chapters, and Two Destinations
Co-curated by Bea Crespo, Coordinator of the Centre for Dalinian Studies, and Noelia Collado, Deputy Content Director at La Roca Village, with artistic direction by Montse Aguer, Director of the Dalí Museums, the exhibition unfolds across three fashion 'seasons': the first - titled 'Spring-Summer Collection' - is showcased at Gala's Púbol Castle, followed by 'Haute Couture' in June and the 'Autumn-Winter Collection' in October.
Open today, the 'Spring-Summer Collection' features eight outfits worn by Gala and crafted by illustrious designers such as Givenchy, Pierre Cardin and Christian Dior. These dresses showcase Gala's chameleon-like personality and how, through fashion, she artfully manipulated her identity, selecting the image she sought to convey. The exhibit includes a dress with a pattern designed by Dalí, reminiscent of the trompe-l'oeil effects in Púbol Castle and referencing 'The Tears Dress', a collaboration between Dalí and Elsa Schiaparelli in 1938.
When deciding to exhibit clothing pieces, it's essential to consider their condition. Textiles are fragile materials, and their preservation status varies depending on their nature, quality, and the usage they have undergone by the wearer. All the dresses presented in this exhibition have been restored by textile materials specialists Carme Masdeu and Mari Luz Morata, under the coordination of Elisenda Aragonès, conservator-restorer of the Dalí Foundation. They are the ones who have carried out the task of "mannequinage", i.e. the techniques and precautions necessary to give volume to a garment on a mannequin while respecting its era and style, as well as contemporary museum standards. As far as restoration tasks are concerned, some pieces of clothing have had their damaged parts consolidated with silk supports and sewn with restoration stitches. Protective covers made of natural cotton and adapted hangers have been crafted for every dress.
A shared story of art, fashion and creativity
This joint project, which aims to shed new light on Gala's identity, will take place simultaneously at both destinations, as an expression of the shared commitment to support culture, art, and fashion in Catalonia. Bridging past and present, the exhibition programme will revive Gala's identity through the lens of her fashion archive but also through the lens of contemporary creators. From Gala's legacy to a completely modern gaze. The discovery journey starts at Púbol Castle -home to her fashion collection.
And takes us through the Dalinian triangle to La Roca Village, transformed into an open-air canvas for creativity to showcase a novel unexpected artistic portrait of the muse. Jordi Bernadó takes us inside Púbol in the footsteps of the invisible woman and her fashion collection, awakening the myth in a large-scale art installation that links the eyes of the viewer with those of the absent myth. And Gala's untamed, enigmatic personality comes to life in huge façades by illustrator Carla Fuentes, who reimagines the legend as a modern influential creative force today. This project forms part of a broader initiative to rediscover Gala and her profound influence on fashion, culture and society - and is a compelling tribute to Catalonia's vibrant art scene.
The partnership will raise awareness about contemporary art initiatives, attracting international visitors to both La Roca Village and the Dalí Foundation's museums. By integrating art into broader experiences, the two destinations will create cultural experiences that resonate with visitors and deepen their appreciation for creativity and innovation. Together, they aim to inspire new generations to explore the boundless possibilities of artistic expression.
Staging
The staging of the current exhibition, at the penthouse of the Castle, has been designed by Pep Canaleta from 3carme33, and the graphic design is by Alex Gifreu.
