Gallery hosts original works from Spanish masters

(CNS): Local art lovers have a rare opportunity to see a set of original 18th century prints from the famous Los Caprichos series by the old master Francisco Goya and a set of hand-coloured and hand-signed etchings by Salvador Dali, who revisited Goya’s famous series. To complement this unique coupling of work, the National Gallery also invited 16 local artists to reinterpret Goya’s series like Dali did before them and their work is on display alongside the masters’ prints. The NGCI Metamorphoses exhibition will open to the public with special late night hours on Friday along with the screening of two documentary films about the Goya and Dali.

Curator of the exhibition, Emé Paschalides, said it features a blend of classical, modern and contemporary artwork, providing a forum for discussion and illustrating the evolution of artistic styles and techniques over the last 300 years. “This artistic progression is contrasted with the realisation that many of the ills of society have remained the same.”

Goya: Crazy like a Genius | 5:30 PM Screening
Written and presented by renowned art critic Robert Hughes, this film explores the world of Francisco Goya, charting his achievements as a court painter, satirist and war reporter, as well as a topographer of the inner self – of madness, fear and despair. This programme offers a detailed visual and intellectual analysis of Goya's masterpieces, including Witches in the Air, The Third of May and The Dream of Reason. Hughes professes himself incapable of summing up Goya's achievements neatly, but concludes that "to meet Goya is still to meet ourselves."

Dali: The Great Spanish Painter and Self-StyledGenius | 7:30 PM Screening
This major critical film biography of Salvador Dali presents Dali's entire body of work in the context of his extraordinary life and international career. It has been constructed through a combination of specially shot location footage, archive film, feature film material, rostrum filming of Dali's paintings and interviews with Dali's friends and colleagues. The narration of the film has been drawn from Dali's own writings, principally My Secret Life and The Unspeakable Confessions of Salvador Dali, as well as from other critical writings.

The special late night at the National Gallery is happening Friday, 13 June 2014 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM. Film screenings will take place in the National Gallery Auditorium. Admission to the late night is free and refreshments will be provided. All ages are welcome, however children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. For details please contact info@nationalgallery.org.ky or visit www.nationalgallery.org.ky.

Upcoming Events for the temporary exhibition Metamorphoses
Saturday, 19 July 2014 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Members-only tour of the exhibition Metamorphoses with the exhibition's curator.
National Gallery Lower Exhibition Hall
Saturday, 2 August 2014 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
"Decoding Dali", a special lecture by Emé Paschalides.
National Gallery Lower Exhibition Hall
$5 Donation Recommended