The Persistence of Memory

What is surrealism? Salvador Dali is probably the most famous surrealist painter, exploring human unconsciousness and laying it on canvases. Here, the Persistence of Memory has melting clocks, some kind of monster (which could be Dali himself) and ants. What do they mean? There's perhaps a different way to perceive dreams, time and memory through this painting.

#arthistory #art #Dali

[TheCanvasArtHistory]

Was Salvador Dali a fascist??

I made a video over a year ago answering that question and I think it's important, when talking about Dali, to take this into consideration. I invite you to take a couple of minutes just to go look at that video.

[howcin]

When I was deployed to Afghanistan I found a poster printed version of this rolled up on the ground in the desert. I hung it up next to my bunk. Always thought it was a really strange painting and was creepy to find it out there. I came here to learn what the painting is about. I still am not so sure.

[leila]

I fell in love with Dali's work upon realizing that his work captures the essence and atmosphere of my own dreams. When I look at his paintings, I feel like I've been there too.

[hamaelriaz]

I discovered your channel a couple days ago and I am obsessed 😍 I can’t fathom getting rich detailed video essays with stunning video presentations and narration of this level entirely for free ✨ keep it up and best of luck!

[victoriabaghdian]

honestly seen this painting everywhere but never knew all the facts behind it lol

[hollin]

That quote at the end was fantastic. Thank you for the content

[beazirconaus]

During my battle with covid, I had a dream that I was a bat flying around a padded cell made of deep purple velvet. I could feel the plush padding and clung desperately on it's padding.
To survive I had to eat the walls... the dream was in colour and felt 3D. While it was terrifying it was beautiful.
I think both Dali and David Lynch would have liked it.

[slcanavan]

I really like the background music, and the narration. Fits well.

[TheInkPitOx]

I never considered it to be a dream before.

I once saw a picture or something of the Disintegration many years ago, but before I knew about this.

The first time I ever saw the "monster" or whatever it is I thought it was a platypus.

[Kyloxvi]

Thanks to my wonderful art teacher for showing me this!😄 I think his art work has more meaning to it!

[iainholmes]

Amazing painting. Still curious, sleepy and discreet. Time appears flexible.

[benferris]

All the clocks are touching something thats living or was living. The flie, the portrait, the ants, and the tree

[AliHassan-snpo]

Thank you for this ! Your analysis and voice was perfect. Loved everything ❤️
I am still searching for any logic or reason for this painting’s fame. He probably did not even know what he is creating. Its probably his luck that made people to feel like this painting is something else. Its just a trashy thing otherwise.

[virusware]

Personal interpretation is also important to acknowledge. I don't care about whether or not he was a fascist. It doesn't matter to me. The concept of memory and time are more important and intimate to me. Like memory degradation.

You mentioned "in a dream those concepts [time and memory] are flexible making us lose grip on reality."

Now apply the concept of dementia. It is as if consciously you are operating in a dreamlike state to where there is no segmentation between time and memory, but mentally one tries their hardest to grip the concepts as they once did when they were younger. Faces of loved ones become hollowed fragments of what once was without any recognition as to who they were or who they are now. Actions conducted are shortly forgotten and one slowly or rapidly (depending on the rate of mental degradation) slips into madness.

One thing that is certain is that their will to continue to fight for some semblance of their reality and memorization will falter. They will give up the fight at some point and it is by far the hardest thing to witness.

So, my personal interpretation of this piece goes a bit further than his original interpretation and influences for creating this piece.

[aricgill]

Stop oar eye 'll fire!- Elmer Fudd 2003

[biitterblue_m]

I tought the creature was a horse hahaha

[ants]

To me it looks like a portion of his face like what he looked like when he envisioned himself as he was in that state right as he is falling asleep

[nightnday]

The foreground looks decaying and the background looks more intact but in actuality the cliff a decayed piece of earth

[annayeghoyan]

Excellent!
Can you sand me that background music?Thanks a lot.

[helenhagos]

Please! Note that the times are the same 6 on two clocks and the clock splitting in half is 5 till 6! Surreal is a great type of genre you would say for this art piece because frankly it’s not notable to that time era. As vivid it is verifies the surrealism. Clearly as validation that is surreal. Hence arguable because Frued was not big on dreams that was of Carl’s Young great contribution. You know looking at the black and white blobs to reveal what the patient is thinking, as well as dream interpretations. Frueds work if truly needed to be used for inspiration of this piece I would suggest instead that infamous photograph of him holding his pocket watch. I urge you as I’ve mentioned in the first sentence of the comment is that time is 6:00 6:00 and 5:55 as 5 until 6:00PM. Freud’s biggest contribution is of that photo of him and pocket watch. I urge you to check the time of that clock he holds standing there so unmovable. As photos often reveal as still and fixed unmovable. As well as his work yes, most notable for me is showing MUCH affection when his daughter eats strawberry shortcake. Indicating her need for approval and adoration. These are Freud’s notable contributions to this paintings inspiration if again the surreal era correlate with Freud’s dream works timeline as such inspiration.