Last night, members of the MoMA in NYC were treated to an advance preview showing of the Salvador Dalí exhibit which will open on Sunday and run through September 15th, 2008. It’s an amazing collection of paintings by the artist, from the more figurative early portraits of Luis Buñuel and Dalì’s own father, to his more well known surrealist work, to later portraits of Jack Warner (then head of Warner Bros.) and Sir Laurence Olivier, which combine all his technique and imagination.

But the exhibit doesn’t end there! MoMA has assembled all of the artist’s film work as well. Collaborations with the likes of Alfred Hitchcock – on the dream sequence in “Spellbound” – Luis Buñuel, Walt Disney and even Andy Warhol. It’s amazing to walk from room to room and be treated to the spectacle of these classic black & white films on huge screens, right next to Master Dalí’s visionary artwork, such as the “Lobster Telephone” – a sculpture – and the torso of a woman wearing an ink-well as a hat!

During the preview, guests were served a cocktail inspired by the whimsical artist himself, the “Dalí Fizz”. A blend of Blue Curaçao, Vodka, white grape juice, lemon juice, sparkling water and served over ice and fresh grapes, this only added to the viewing pleasure. I predict this exhibit, and the accompanying cocktail, to be the toast of this NYC summer.