Dali, Escher

Speaking of Dali…

I think it’s relatively rare that one finds him listed as one of the thee or four greatest artists of the century. But when you think about it: why not? Isn’t it at least conceivable that in the year 2500, Dali could be viewed as the very greatest 20th century artist? I don’t find that hard to imagine at all. He has technical skill. God, does he have imagination. He has (had) charismatic personality, obviously. But we’re close enough in time to Dali that much about him still seems gimmicky, I suppose. Yet I can easily imagine various possible futures in which he is transmuted from quirky sideshow into towering figure of the ages.

To some extent, I have similar questions about M.C. Escher. No one would ever rate him among the very top figures in the fine arts of the last century. But again, when you think about it: why not? His stuff is ingenious. It’s certainly memorable. Have you ever actually met anyone who doesn’t love looking at Escher images? A restaurant here in Zamalek used to have a number of his works on the wall, and they didn’t seem out of place in the least.

Which reminds me that my parents also had a book of Escher at home when I was young. (They probably still do; I just haven’t seen it in awhile during my visits.) Some people are most frightened as children by the piece where that elf-like figure is running down the steps and gradually passes into a mere geometric shape. Others are fascinated by the two hands drawing one another. Those are great, but the one that left the biggest impression on me was the one where the dreamer, in a strange edifice, has a preying mantis on his chest.