The artwork titled “Aphrodisiac Telephone” is a distinguished sculpture created by Salvador Dali, an artist renowned for his contributions to the Surrealist movement. The piece is believed to have been crafted sometime between 1936 and 1938, fitting appropriately within the ethereal and unconventional realm of Surrealism. This specific work falls within the “Lobster/Aphrodisiac Telephone” series. Presently, the sculpture is housed at the Espace Dalí in Paris, France, which serves as a space dedicated to the exhibition of Dali’s exquisite and thought-provoking pieces.
The artwork itself features an intriguing juxtaposition of everyday objects—a black rotary telephone and a lobster, which is not a creature typically associated with communication technology. The lobster, with its extended claws and tail, straddles the telephone, replacing the standard receiver and presenting a strikingly bizarre visual metaphor. In Dali’s distinct surrealist style, the combination of these disparate elements may be an exploration of subconscious associations, particularly in the connection between desire and communication, as suggested by the term “aphrodisiac” within the title. The sculpture vividly encapsulates the essence of Surrealism, where ordinary reality is infused with dream-like and irrational imagery, engaging the observer’s perception and challenging the preconceived notions of functionality and symbolism.
