The artwork titled “White Aphrodisiac Telephone” is a distinguished piece by Salvador Dali, created between approximately 1936 and 1938. This sculpture falls under the Surrealism art movement and is a part of the Lobster/Aphrodisiac Telephone series. Crafted with mixed media, the piece resides in the Johannesburg Art Gallery located in Johannesburg, South Africa. As a genre, it is classified as a sculpture, providing a tangible exploration of the artist’s unique and thought-provoking vision.
Upon examining the artwork, one observes a classic white rotary dial telephone, but with an unorthodox modification; a sizable lobster replaces the traditional telephone handset. The detailed lobster, rendered in white to match the phone’s base, rests atop the phone as if it is an inherent part of the object. The juxtaposition of the crustacean with the man-made device is striking and surreal, embodying the unexpected and subconscious elements characteristic of Dali’s work. The rotary dial and the cords appear aged, suggesting the passage of time and add to the artifact-like quality of the piece. The lobster itself is meticulously sculpted, with attention to its segments, claws, and overall form, further emphasizing the surreal fusion of the animate with the inanimate. This artwork serves as a provocative statement on the interplay of objects, sensuality, and communication, emblematic of Dali’s enigmatic style.
