Did you know? Salvador Dali left a permanent imprint on Paris... In the form of a sundial/work ofart in the heart of the Latin Quarter! Inaugurated on November 15, 1966, Dali 's sundial is located at the corner of the building at 27-29 rue Saint-Jacques, in Paris's 5th arrondissement. Discreetly embedded in a wall, this sculpted face evokes both the sun and the scallop shell, a subtle tribute to the street where it is located and to the famous Compostelle pilgrimage.
Made of concrete, the sundial was originally designed by Dali for friends who ran a store on the site. The facial features, surmounted by a shell, recall the artist's mystical obsessions, while the flame-shaped eyebrows symbolize the sun's rays. However, if you're trying to tell the time, you'll have to be patient: the slight inclination of the wall prevents any precision.
Inaugurated by the artist himself in an eccentric ceremony, this " event of the 21st century ", in Dali's words, was marked by a staging in his own image. Perched on a freight elevator gondola, the artist unveiled his work under the spotlight, despite the gloomy Parisian weather. TheÉcole des Beaux-Arts brass band accompanied the presentation, giving the occasion a theatrical and anecdotal feel. As for the dial
Located on rue Saint-Jacques, a historic thoroughfare that follows the ancient route of the Roman cardo maximus, this work echoes the passage of Compostela pilgrims. Even today, Salvador Dali's sundial remains a discreet but striking nod to the capital's history and art, although it may not be easily visible to distracted strollers. All you have to do is go and see it!
