For this latest exhibition, the Royal Academy of Arts examines the contrasting work of two major figures in the art world and how they influenced each other. Here, Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews….
Oil and collage (paper, photograph, postcard, linoleum, transfer decal) on
wood panel, 50.2 x 65.1 cm
Collection of the Dali Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida
© Salvador Dali, Fundació Gala-Salvador DalÃ, DACS 2017
The Guardian: ***** “The show allows us to see a richer, more human Duchamp.”
The Daily Mail: **** “Perhaps the subject here is one for a book, or a joint biography, rather than an exhibition. It’s an interesting show nonetheless, and, of course, it’s quite within surrealist practice to yoke two very different elements together and see what comes out of it.”
Evening Standard: **** “Duchamp is more artistically rewarding than Dalí. But as a clown Dalí is a supreme master and mastery at anything is compelling. However if the two were friends and fellow shockers, they don’t necessarily work as a double act. They strike sparks but not off each other.”
Time Out: **** “Predictably, this show rehabilitates Dalí. Beside his clever older brother, the foppish upstart seems needier and deeper, his work less about shocking and awing than his own grinding obsessions (okay, Dalí’s major obsession was himself, but you know what I mean). But while Dalí fetishised the artist, Duchamp let art fetishise itself. And until I saw this show, I don’t think I properly understood what that meant.”
The Independent: *** “The whole thing is a lovely, glancing, pirouetting dance through the converging interests – from eroticism to the game of chess – of two formidably amusing and clever tricksters – when at their best that is; when the leering, mock-menacing, narcissistic Dali is not being a complete pain in the neck.”
Culture Whisper: **** “Dali/Duchamp casts a fresh, and joyous light on two of the most enigmatic provocateurs of the twentieth century. A commendable feat.”
The Upcoming: ***** “Dali/Duchamp throws up some fascinating comparisons between these two modern greats.”
VictoriaSadler.com: “Seeing works from these two artists alongside each other’s does initially make for curious viewing. How do we reconcile a Freudian-esque examination of the human subconscious with a bicycle wheel fixed to the top of a stool? But it is the challenge to the obvious that connects these two men.”
London Visitors: “This fascinating exhibition shines a light on two of the most well known artists of the twentieth century. Both are known for their surreal and original sense of humour in their art, however this sometimes obscures the often serious ideas underpinning their work. Both artists in their own way challenged the conventional views of art and the role of the artist.”
Dali/Duchamp will be on display at the Royal Academy of Arts until the 3rd January 2018. For more information and to book tickets visit: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/dali-duchamp