Image: 0137159459, License: Rights managed, Restrictions: Rights to be cleared for commercial use for artworks not in public domain., The spanish painter born in Figueres (Catalonia) Salvador Dalí. Picture taken in 1962., Model Release: No or not aplicable, Credit line: Profimedia.cz, Album

An exclusive interview where Salvador Dali talks about Pablo Picasso.

An interview conducted by Juan Pablo Carcozon for the catalan art magazine Persona.

Spanish version : https://actualficcion.wordpress.com/2016/01/27/dali-picasso-y-la-cascara-de-huevo

French version : https://nectarcolor.wordpress.com/2015/12/22/dali-franco-picasso-modigliani

« – … but I have to say that it possess you majestically !

-You know, Dali is always possessed by what is beautiful.

-And how would you define the link between you and Picasso ?

-Dali has already answered this question.

But Dali can re-answer it if you want to so ardently !

-I think that our readers will appreciate that !

-Well.

It is with greatness and majesty that I’ll answer starting with a catalan proverb :

When the swallow bends over,

The starling is on heat.

Now.

I always had a great respect and a deep admiration towards Picasso.

You see, his little bald head represents for me the same hope that we have while facing a good baked omelette :

The hope that everything still possible !

-Tell me if I’m wrong but, do you want to say that Picasso would be a hope for modern art ?

-You are wrong.

I literally mean that Picasso represents the hope that you have when you face a good baked omelette.

Do you know how difficult it is to make a perfect omelette ?!

The art in it exceeds the debat over the futur of modern art, mister Paulina !

-« Paul ».

-What’s that ?

-My name is Paul, not Paulina.

-Is this important for our interview ?

-Mmm… no that

-Ok then.

Stay with me Pauleen ! Stay focused ! –says Dali while he snaps his fingers towards Paul’s eyes.

What I am telling you now is very important.

This century will be successful if we find out an efficient and universal way of baking an egg !

How can we outrun the perfection of the curvature of the egg ?

That’s the question of the century !

And the celestial vault that protects Picasso’s egg yolk is the perfect exemple of that.

Nietzsche was looking for a super-man, I am looking for an eggshell.

-Very interesting.

Could you underline the most important characteristics that…

-…the curvature of the egg…

-Pardon me ?

-No, I was saying that… the curvature of the egg is amazing.

-Ok.

-…and Picasso’s skull represents that perfection.

-Ok.

-…

-Salvador Dali,

-Yes Joseph ?

-… I’m « Paul ».

Could you say to us more technically what differentiates Picasso’s art from Dali’s art ?

-Very good question.

Now I understand where do you want to go with this interview.

As I wrote in my book « Diary of a Genius », Picasso has 9/20 for the technique. Dali has 12/20[1].

-The book of yours is actually very interesting for those who want to read Dali’s thoughts.

-Are you going to write that ?

-Write what ?

-« …a very interesting book for… », etc ?

-No, but we will certainly put a reference of it at the end of the article.

-I like the way you work.

-Thank you very much mister Dali.

-Can I say something to you ?

-Of course !

-The lobe of your ear is very similar to Picasso’s perfect skull !

Laughs.

-Will I also be a hope for the century ?

-No.

But your lobe is.

-Let’s stay on the comparison between Dali and Picasso :

in what Picasso outruns Dali and vice-versa ?

-I like your spirit : he’s very fast.

Picasso outruns Dali in many areas :

For the inspiration, Picasso has 19/20 while Dali has 17/20 ;

For the topic, Picasso has 18/20 while Dali has 17/20 ;

For the genius, Picasso has 20/20 while Dali has 19/20[2].

-Let’s precise that is your analysis.

-Who wrote the book ?

-…you.

-So why this precision then ?

-…

-Ok.

Now, the gap between Dali and Picasso for the areas that Dali outruns Picasso is not significant :

For the originality, Dali has 17/20 while Picasso has 7/20 ;

For the mystery, Dali has 19/20 while Picasso has 2/20 ;

For the authenticity, Dali has 19/20 while Picasso has 7/20[3].

-But this gap is bigger than the previous gap, don’t you think ?

-He still has 20/20 for the genius area.

-Yes, but the genius is a subjective standard and a vague concept.

-Maybe it is for you, but it is not for me.

-Ok.

Finally, what do you think of Picasso’s last work ?

-Shy and rigid.

-Ok, thank you very much mister Dali

.

-I told you, he is the swallow and I am the starling. »

1965, Port Lligat.

Follow Nectarcolor on facebook : https://www.facebook.com/nectarcolor

Follow Nectarcolor on twitter : https://twitter.com/nectarcolor

Follow Nectarcolor on Medium : https://medium.com

Follow Nectarcolor on Fictionpress : https://www.fictionpress.com/u/1054547/Nectarcolor

[1] Diary of a Genius, Solar Books – Solar Art Directives.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.