STREET SCENE: MEN LOOKING AT PAINTINGS: DETAIL OF PAINTINGS: GIRL VISITORS: DALI THROUGH CROWD IN GALLERY: DALI UNVEILS NEW PICTURE: DALI 'BAPTISES' PICTURE: NEW PICTURE.




Initials GL/VS/JF/PS



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Background: AN EXHIBITION OF PAINTING BY SALVADOR DALI OPENED YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) AT THE KNODLER GALLERY IN THE RUE DU FAUBOURG ST. HONORE IN PARIS.

THE EXHIBITION WAS FULL OF THE USUAL SURREALIST SURPRISES FROM THE EVER-SURPRISING SPANIARD, WHO AT 65 REMAINS THE SPRIGHTLY AND UNASHAMED ENFANT TERRIBLE OF THE ART WORLD AS HE HAS BEEN FOR MOST OF HIS LIFE.

IN HIS LIFE, JUST AS IN HIS ART, DALI SEEMS AS DETERMINED AS EVER TO SHOCK OR INFURIATE HIS FELLOW MAN. BECAUSE I AM AN ARTIST, HE SEEMS TO SAY, YOU WILL ACCEPT ME AS A SHOWMAN.

THERE WAS CERTAINLY AN ELEMENT OF THE SHOWMAN ABOUT HIS DECISION TO "UNVEIL" HIS LATEST WORK, "AQUA MINERALIX" DURING THE EXHIBITION. HELPED BY THREE SHOW-GIRLS, HE WHISKED AWAY THE GEORGETTE VEIL TO BRING HIS NEW WORK INSTANTANEOUSLY TO THE EYES OF AN ADMIRING PUBLIC.

THEN HE 'BAPTISED' THE PICTURE BY THROWING A JUG OF WATER AT IT.