The artwork “White Aphrodisiac Telephone” by Salvador Dali, created in 1936, is a seminal sculpture that forms part of the surrealistic art movement, specifically known for integrating the Lobster/Aphrodisiac theme. This distinctive piece can be found in the collection of the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, located in Rotterdam, Netherlands. In the realm of surrealism, it stands out as an iconic example of Dali’s innovative and thought-provoking oeuvre.
The artwork itself features a classic early 20th-century telephone painted in an off-white color. The traditional structure and form of the telephone are subverted by the replacement of the receiver with an intricate, realistically-sculpted lobster, also finished in white. The lobster sits atop the cradle of the phone, its long body conforming to the shape of the receiver, with the tail extending outward and the pincers prominently displayed as if ready for use. This juxtaposition of an everyday object with a marine creature suggests a fusion of the mundane with the unexpected, a common thread in Dali’s work.
The rotary dial of the telephone is still visible, hinting at the device’s original functionality, while the coiled cord attached to the receiver underscores the reality that this is indeed a telephone—albeit one that has been transformed into a work of art. The surreal assemblage invites interpretation, playing with themes of desire, communication, and the irrational. By placing a symbol of sexuality and exoticism like the lobster in direct contact with the emblem of connection and conversation, Dali imbues the sculpture with a sense of the erotic, as well as the absurd.
This work is notable not only for its stark visual impact but also for the way it seamlessly incorporates Dali’s interest in the subconscious and the role of the object in evoking emotion and thought. Through the “White Aphrodisiac Telephone,” Dali continues to challenge viewers’ perceptions, prompting them to reconsider the relationship between the functional and the representational in the context of art.
