Jerry and Brenda Bengis, internationally recognized collectors and authorities on Salvador Dali will make a special appearance at Sunrise Cinemas Gateway 4 on Friday, June 5, opening night of the new film LITTLE ASHES.  Starring Robert Pattinson (Twightlight) as artist Salvador Dali, and Javier Beltran as poet and play write Federico Garcia Lorca, LITTLE ASHES tells the story of the relationship between two of our most treasured artists during the repression and political unrest of pre-Spanish Civil War

The evening begins at 6:00pm. Original works on paper, by Dali, will be displayed in the theatre lobby. Movie goers will have the opportunity to talk with Jerry and Brenda about the art and will have the opportunity to purchase a piece through a silent auction with a percentage of the purchase to be donated to the buyer’s charity of choice.  In addition, a private dinner with the Bengis’ and tour of one of the finest Dali collections of graphics in the country will also be auctioned. 
 
Additionally, Jerry will be on hand after the 7:30 p.m. showing of LITTLE ASHES to discuss the artist, and his personal knowledge of Dali and of the film with the audience.

In the midst of the repression and political unrest of pre-Spanish Civil War, eccentric artist Salvador Dalí and renowned poet and revolutionary Federico García Lorca find their artistic and sexual freedom in each other. The two form a bond challenged by their fierce ambitions, they struggle between a love for Spain and a love for each other.

Sunrise Cinema Gateway 4 is located at 1820 East Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale.  For directions and show times please visit www.sunrisecinemas.com

        

Romero Britto is the designated "artist in residence" for the Coral Springs Museum of Art.  The Britto exhibit opens this weekend at the museum and will run through May 19, 2009. Brenda and Jerry Bengis hosted a cocktail party at their home in Britto's honor the evening before the May 7th opening at the museum.

The party was a great success.










 

        

Jerry and Brenda  Bengis and Bonnie and Jim Clearwater pose in front of the exhibit, "The Possibility of an Island".  Bonnie is the executive director and chief curator of MOCA, a museum of international acclaim.

        

Don't miss this exhibit of 100 wood engravings of Salvador Dali's Divine Comedy. It will run from January 6 - 31, 2009 at the historic Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College. The art is based on The Divine Comedy by Dante, a poem about Virgil's journey through the Inferno into Purgatory and finally to Paradise. I have many individual signed pieces from this suite for sale as well as a rare complete signed set of all 100 pieces.

Contact me at info@daliartweb.com if you are interested in owning any of Dali's Divine Comedy.

Call 305-237-7186 for more information baout the exhibit which is open Tuesday - Friday noon - 5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This exhibit is part of the permanent collection of Caixonova.

The photo is of Heaven Canto 21, 1970 wood engraving. This is a rare combination of a wood engraving signed in blue pencil with one of the unsigned etchings done in black and white, framed as one.

        

On it's Top 10 list of the most important events of 2008, the Sun Sentinel awarded it's number 1 spot to the installation of the refurbished Coppertone Girl sign. "The pigtailed girl with the dog nipping at her bikini bottom had been a bright neon spot in the Miami landscape since appearing on the downtown Parkleigh Building in 1959. When the Parkleigh was torn down in 1992, she moved to Flagler Street. Earlier this year, she started to show her age — and down she came."

"Today, after a $90,000, six-month makeover courtesy of Coppertone parent Schering-Plough, she shines bright once again at 7300 Biscayne Blvd., where she is the centerpiece of a burgeoning architectural district. The MiMo Biscayne Association, which works to preserve and promote...Miami Modern architecture, is now her official guardian."

Good job Fran Rollason, MiMO, Schering-Plough, Tropical Signs and everyone else who contributed time, effort and money to bring her to her home.

Photo on the left is the dog portion of the sign undergoing renovation, all new LED lights were installed.

        

A friend shared some of her photos of Jeff Koons' sculptures on display at Versailles. Balloon Flower in the main courtyard and Balloon Dog in the Salon d'Hercule.

The Moon (Light Blue) in the recently restored Hall of Mirrors reflected not the salon and all of the visitors within.

The Hanging Heart (Red/Gold) on the the Queen's Staircase.

Here's a link to the official Versailles site. And don't forget to check out the calendar at Modern Art Calendar for other current exhibits.

        

Brenda Bengis with Claudia Potamkin, Cricket Taplin and Bonnie Clearwater. The photo was taken at the Margulies Warehouse (gallery) in Wynwood at a fundraiser for Constance Margulies' charity the Lotus House.

Art can be appreciated and also be a catalyst for change or cathartic for others In the case of Marty and Constance, they re proud to share their vast art collection with others and have some cutting edge art and perhaps one of the finest collections of photography in the world.

Beyond art the Margulies' are commited to the community. Constance created the Lotus House Shelter for Homeless Women and taps into the large network of artists and collectors to help fund this outstanding project in Overtown. The Lotus House is much more than a shelter. It provides the women with art lessons, yoga, cooking lessons, and a chance to appreciate their own self worth. Constance is a dedicated woman, selflessly working for the benefit of women who otherwise have no voice.

Jerry and I admire this amazing couple and support the Lotus House and the Sundari Foundation, Inc.

--Brenda

        

This was during Art Basel--Romero Britto had a showing of his sculptures at the Shops at Midtown Miami--lots of great entertainment--all for charity (National Multiple Sclerosis Society). Jerry and I had a great time at all of the events related to Art Basel this year.

        

ART NOW was one of the ancillary shows to Art Basel that ran contemporaneously with Art Basel. The art form was very clever and humorous...the food looks real and luscious, but is also humorous...the flan had artwork depicting the Beatles...and were showcased in what appeared to be a bakery....cute, right?? - Brenda

        

Noel lives in MiMo and the photo was taken at the Coppertone event. He was headed after that to Wynwood for the Art Basel events.

His brilliant colors and bold figures have earned him many commissions both public and private including murals for the Ritz Plaza Hotel in Miami Beach, Grove Isle Hotel in Coconut Grove, and San Diego's Paradise Point Hotel. Absolut Vodka commissioned several works from Noel including a 1989 commemorative poster for the 1989 Absolut Models for Boston to benefit the Homeless.

Noel's website