Biblia Sacra; La Tour de Babel 1964

Editor: This is Salvador Dalí’s "La Tour de Babel" from his Biblia Sacra series, made in 1964 using mixed media like watercolor and colored pencil. It's dominated by a massive tower, almost fleshy in its color and texture. I’m struck by how the tower feels both ancient and like it’s in the process of becoming something else entirely. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: I see a powerful commentary on human ambition and its potential for both creation and destruction, especially during the nuclear age. Dalí created this piece during the height of the Cold War. How do you think the fear of global annihilation impacted the construction, or perhaps deconstruction, of this iconic tower? Editor: That’s an interesting point! I hadn’t considered the Cold War context. The tower does seem almost precarious, as if it could crumble at any moment, and with those red washes below... what about its biblical roots? Curator: The Tower of Babel is inherently about fragmented communication, isn't it? The Old Testament story explores how a common language, intended for unification, was fractured, resulting in dispersion and misunderstanding. How do you interpret the use of broken architectural forms to communicate themes related to collective memory, cultural identity, and power? Do the deconstructed elements represent shattered social orders, the fading power structures in a post-colonial world, or perhaps an ode to lost cultures? Editor: Wow, that opens up so many layers! Maybe it’s not just about physical destruction, but also the collapse of shared understanding. Seeing it in that context really changes how I perceive the whole image. Curator: Absolutely. The enduring appeal of the Tower of Babel as a symbol lies in its potent combination of arrogance and hubris, the collapse of structures – whether cultural or ideological. What a compelling commentary Dalí offers about these cyclical struggles of humanity. Editor: I will definitely keep an eye out for symbols of deconstruction in art now! Curator: I will make a conscious effort to learn more about the sociopolitical period impacting the meaning behind a work of art.