On the Move with the Key to Dalí

Something new is rolling out from the Dalí Museum: a 40-foot classroom art space and mobile museum. Christened the The Key to Dalí Art Mobile, this travelling surrealistic exhibition is designed to bring art to the people in classrooms around the county. 

Now, instead of students going to the museum, the museum can come to them, all during school hours. While the Dalí Museum still offers free field trips for local students, “there remained a need to bridge the gap for students or schools that cannot visit the museum in person to experience Dalí’s masterpieces and worldview,” said Sumaya Ayad, school programs & education manager at the museum. 

“We believe Dalí would be delighted to see his work introduced to a broad student audience, especially through a project as imaginative and innovative as The Key to Dalí Art Mobile,” she added. “Dalí often spoke about discovering art at a young age, so the idea that children could explore his symbols, ideas, and creative spirit from their own classrooms would likely resonate deeply with him.”

 The project was funded by the Francis and Gertrude Levett Foundation, and the Dalí Museum has worked in partnership with Pinellas County Schools to create this interactive hands-on exhibition.  

“This iteration of the mobile took shape when Dalí on the Fly was set to be retired. We focused on another one of Dalí’s symbols – the key – to connect the meaning behind his artwork with topics that resonate with students. In this case, the mobile tells the story of Dalí’s evolution as both an artist and an individual.” 

Teachers lead the class activities, which includes short films explaining more about Dalí and his inspiration. Features include a click-through family photo album of Dalí’s childhood, a map showing the places he lived and worked, and a curio cabinet highlighting Dalí’s inventions. Museum staff partnered with Pinellas County teachers over the past year and a half to create the curriculum, accompanying worksheets, and to propose art projects specifically linked to the mobile. 

The crown piece of the show is the giant Lobster Telephone that students can play with. The Dalí worked with the Great Explorations Children’s Museum exhibition designers to craft a 4-foot-tall replica of the original masterpiece. They then combined it with the museum’s digital experiences, Ask Dalí, in which visitors chat with an AI version of the artist. The phone uses the same AI technology to create Dalí’s voice so that students can “dial” in and hear a message from him.  

“Dalí would also be fascinated by the Ask Dalí technology,” Sumaya says. “The ability for students to ‘hear’ from a reimagined version of the artist reflects the kind of boundary-pushing experimentation he embraced throughout his career.”  

During the next four years, the Art Mobile will reach 38,000 Pre-K to 5th grade students who attend the 77 Pinellas County elementary schools. For many, this is their first museum experience. The exhibit is designed to offer students the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of viewing and understanding artwork. 

Organizers believe that seeing the artist’s works will inspire students to explore the arts and other enriching experiences.

“Students are encouraged to reflect on their own interests and life experiences to better understand their own sense of self,” Sumaya adds.

For more, check out theDali.org/the-key-to-Dali-art-mobile.