Embrace the Weird at the WCC’s “Salvador Dalí: Masterpieces from the Argillet Collection Archives” Exhibition
Explore over 100 rare etchings by Dalí and his contemporaries at West Chelsea Contemporary's exhibition, on view through February 2
This January, a visit to West Chelsea Contemporary art gallery offers the opportunity to experience the rare, magnificent, and occasionally mind-blowing “Salvador Dalí: Masterpieces from the Argillet Collection Archives” exhibition. This impeccable collection of more than 100 Dalí etchings was hand-selected by Christine Argillet, who oversees the collection. Her father, Pierre Argillet, began this collection and was the publisher of and creative catalyst for many of the pieces.
Having made the rounds through various globally renowned museums over several decades, including in New York, Japan, France, the Netherlands and Russia, the collection is now at the WCC, Austin’s home for contemporary art. Go experience the surreal art of Dalí and his contemporaries in the avant-garde art movement, Hans Bellmer, Giorgio de Chirico, Leonor Fini, Man Ray and Wassily Kandinsky.
Dalí and his influence in the Surrealist movement
It’s especially fitting to hold this Dalí exhibition now on the cusp of the 100th anniversary of the surrealist movement. While Dalí’s pieces are the foundation of the collection, the works of his contemporaries are also included, to show his influence among the other artists of his time and to place the movement in time somewhat.
Surrealism celebrates and delves into the expanses of the mind, leaving no dark corners unilluminated and manifests both our fears and desires as humans, as ridiculous as we are and can be. In that regard, Dalí was an undisputed master of his craft, showing a limitless courage to explore his own mind and share the things, ideas and art that inspired him.
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In “Salvador Dalí: Masterpieces from the Argillet Collection Archives,” showing art mainly from the 1960s, one can recognize characters and themes that have been repeated throughout his work: mythology, the human (especially female) form, animals and human suffering. All are present in this extraordinary exhibition at the WCC through February 2. Stop by the gallery any time during open hours. Prospective collectors can also reserve a private showing.
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The Argillets and the artist
Christine Argillet grew up immersed in the world of art, especially the avant-garde and surreal art her father introduced her to as a child. By the time she was in her 20s, the young woman began working with her father and his growing collection. Her own personal lore is entwined with the world of art and the artists, most prominently Dalí, who created many of these etchings at the behest of Pierre.
Pierre started out as a journalist but always had an affinity for art. He was particularly interested in the abstract art of his era and was building his own private collection piece by piece as he was able to afford it. Before long, a gallery owner in Paris encouraged him to become a publisher as a means of growing his collection much more quickly and extensively. Pierre was taken with the idea and went for it, despite the fact that he didn’t really have the means to invest in such equipment.
He was in hot water at home at first, for spending money he did not have, but fortunately, he struck up relationships with many of the artists of the time that he admired and supported as they were coming up in the art world. Dalí was one of the artists he worked with extensively. The close relationship for decades between Pierre Argillet and Dalí made for some interesting collaborations until they had a falling out later in life.
Christine herself is a treasure trove of stories about the art and the artist, many of which she shared at the VIP opening. She has worked with the West Chelsea Contemporary to put on a handful of exhibitions over the past twenty years. She and the art gallery team have worked closely together to plan this installation and exhibition of works.
We recommend asking the WCC staff any questions about the art while viewing the collection. The stories they share make the viewing experience that much richer. Be sure and check out the book in the case at the front of the exhibit. This, unlike the others, was made in 1934 and within its pages are the seeds of so many of the recurring ideas in Dalí’s art that appeared later in his career.
Process and publishing
As the publisher of traditional etchings, Pierre would bring the copper plates to an artist, along with a theme or a book to illustrate. The artist would then take the copper plates and a sort of stylus (or scissors, nails or anything sharp enough to etch into the copper) and etch the image into the copper plates.
When the artist completed the base image, the publisher would take the plates to a printer, who would color/paint in the etchings and transfer it to paper. They would then take it back to the artist, who would add notes to darken or lighten the image, change the color or add a background or specific detail to the paper.
The process, as explained by Christine, could take up to 20-30 rounds of back and forth until the artist was pleased enough to approve the etchings as represented by the printer and would add their signature. From there, the printer would create 100-150 original etchings of each copper plate piece. The process did not allow for many colors, resulting in images that stand out in their original form.
“Salvador Dalí: Masterpieces from the Argillet Collection Archives” is on display at West Chelsea Contemporary through February 2. The vibrant collection of surreal masterpieces offers something for art enthusiasts of all levels.
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