Yamandú Canosa, The Visit
The Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
Uruguayan-Spanish artist Yamandú Canosa (born in Montevideo, Uruguay 1954) creates an intense dialog between Surrealism and contemporary art in The Visit, a new exhibition of paintings, drawings and photographs. The Visit features both abstract and figurative works set in a dramatic installation especially conceived for The Dalí Museum, with a majority of the works created for the exhibition.
On view exclusively at The Dalí Jun. 18 – Oct. 30, 2022, The Visit includes new and earlier works by Yamandú Canosa, plus a small selection of related Salvador Dalí works from the Museum’s renowned collection. Organized by The Dalí, the project is curated by Dr. William Jeffett, Chief Curator, who worked closely with Canosa on the exhibit concept and has previously published about the artist’s work.
“The Dalí is committed to tracing the lineage of the Avant-garde that precedes Salvador Dalí and continues in his wake; Yamandú Canosa is an important part of this legacy,” said Dalí Museum Director Hank Hine. “The Visit invites us to ask what lies ahead and provides a powerful interpretation of the contemporary relevance of Surrealism.”
The Museum’s Hough Gallery is transformed into a contemporary interpretation of the Bay of Port Lligat, Spain, the magnificent setting of Dalí’s home. Displayed through four interrelated walls, the largest component of the exhibit includes concepts of Sa Farnera, the small island that closes the bay; Tramuntana, which refers to the strong northern winds that sweep across the region; Casa (house), which refers to Dalí’s home and studio, and Playa (beach), where fishermen stored their boats on the coastal sand of Port Lligat.
“This project allowed me to resignify my work from the perspective of Surrealism, and to create a meaningful conversation between the movement and contemporary art,” said the artist, Yamandú Canosa. “What better place to hold this visual and conceptual dialog than the House of Surrealism in America, The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.”
Canosa’s installation also pays homage to Surrealist techniques including the Dibujos ciegos (Blind Drawings), a series of performative works on paper that the artist has created from an object using automatic drawing procedures. This practice generates enigmatic images and also makes reference to Surrealism’s fascination with the unconscious.
