A recent rediscovery of a video recording from a 1989 event in Tallinn commemorates Salvador Dalí, showcasing the extravagance of Soviet-era artistic gatherings.
The article discusses a unique event held on February 9, 1989, at the Kuku Club in Tallinn, Estonia, titled "The Awakening of Salvador Dalí's Spirit," following the death of celebrated surrealist Salvador Dalí. This event, deemed one of the boldest artistic gatherings of the Soviet era, featured significant participation from avant-garde artists and was captured on video by Lauri Vahtre using an institution's video camera. Initially thought to be lost, a copy of the recording was unexpectedly found during the reorganization of collections at the Tartu Art Museum, prompting efforts to digitize it for preservation and accessibility.
The rediscovery of this video not only highlights the cultural significance of the event but also serves as a historical document reflecting the artistic climate in Estonia during the late Soviet period. The original VHS tapes were believed to be lost or overwritten, adding to the excitement of its recovery. The video, which has now been digitized and made available on YouTube, includes footage of event preparations and the atmosphere surrounding the celebration of Dalí's artistry, contributing to the understanding of surrealism's impact in the region.
