Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum (SSM) introduces A Surrealist in Istanbul: Salvador Dalí exhibition, sponsored by Akbank that celebrates its 60th year, which is organized in collaboration with the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation. The exhibition that will be held in Istanbul between 20 September 2008-20 January 2009 draws exclusively on the collection of the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation. Bringing together works of Dalí, including paintings, drawings, illustrations, works of graphic art, films, photographs and other archive documents, the show will be the major exhibition organized outside Spain by the foundation.

SSM Director Dr.Nazan Ölçer gave a speech at the press conference organized for the inauguration of the exhibition today. She said, “We knew that presenting an art movement like Surrealism and its leading representative might be challenging. That is why, we insisted on organizing a retrospective exhibition. Dalí was educated on fine arts and then built his own path upon. The exhibition that consists of 33 paintings, 113 drawings, 111 engraving and 12 lithography will welcome visitors for four months at SSM. The collection reaches up to 385 pieces with the letters, notes and photographs. During the exhibition we will try to emphasize subconscious feelings and introduce Dali’s world thus explains the paintings.”

Zafer Kurtul, the General Manager of Akbank  that sponsors the exhibition, said  “We are celebrating the 60th anniversary of Akbank with a great art event like the Dalí exhibition. The exhibition has great importance both for us and our country since it is the the major exhibition organized outside Spain by the foundation. Being one of Turkey's innovative companies we support innovative organizations and the artists, as well as protect the local and international cultural heritage, which is the most important social responsibility act. We sponsor those that offer innovative and analytical thinking to the next generations. The idea to present a genius, who had the courage to redefine reality, to the Turkish art lovers is a result of our belief in diversification and creativity. We are proud to congregate Salvador Dalí's fascinating world with our community.”

Joan Manuel Sevillano Campalans, Director of Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation stated “There are only a few museums in the world that has such a strong infrastructure and professional team like SSM. SSM also holds the leader position in the area of introducing major exhibitions, which are acclaimed by the art circles, to Turkey. We believe that SSM is the best institution to introduce a pioneer of its era, Salvador Dalí.”

The Curator of the exhibition Montse Aguer Teixidor said “The exhibition, constituting of artworks that come from noteworthy museums of Spain which may never travel abroad again, is the biggest temporary exhibition ever organized outside Spain by the foundation. We are happy to introduce this unique, innovative, talented and discrete artist, Salvador Dalí to the people of Istanbul for the first time through SSM." 

Following the Picasso and Rodin exhibitions, SSM is getting ready to host yet another Western master and the works of Salvador Dali. Dalí will be introduced to the Turkish community with conferences, gallery talks, movies and child education programs that will take place throughout the exhibition. The performance "Salvador Dalí References Make Me Hot" designed exclusively for the Dalí exhibition by the Akbank New Generation Theatre will be presented to the audience at Akbank Sanat. In December there will be special film screenings titled “Dali and Movies” within the scope of the Akbank Short Film Festival.