Polyhedron. Basketball Players Being Transformed into Angels (Assembling a Hologram - the Central Element), 1972
A Celestial Convergence of Form and Spirit
In the twilight of his illustrious career, Salvador Dalí ventured into a realm where the boundaries between mathematical precision and the infinite subconscious began to dissolve. Polyhedron. Basketball Players Being Transformed into Angels (Assembling a Hologram - the Central Element), 1972, serves as a breathtaking window into this late-period obsession with geometry and metamorphosis. The painting presents a profound cosmic drama set against an abyssal black void, a stage where the earthly and the divine engage in a silent, transformative dance. Here, Dalí does not merely paint a scene; he constructs a vision of reality being reconstructed through the lens of science and spirit, inviting the viewer to witness the very moment matter ascends into light.The Architecture of Metamorphosis
The composition is a masterclass in surrealist juxtaposition. At first glance, the presence of basketball players introduces an element of the mundane and the athletic, yet this familiarity is quickly subverted by the encroaching geometric structures and celestial shifts. Dalí utilizes the concept of the polyhedron to impose a sense of intellectual rigor upon his dreamscape, echoing the influences of Cubism and the metaphysical stillness of Giorgio de Chirico. As the players are caught in the act of becoming angels, the viewer experiences a sense of dynamic tension—the struggle between the weight of the physical body and the weightless grace of the angelic form. The inclusion of a globe and a clock serves as a poignant reminder of our tethering to time and space, even as the central element—the assembling hologram—suggests a future where reality itself is composed of light and mathematical patterns.
A Statement of Intellectual Elegance
For the discerning collector or the interior designer seeking a centerpiece of unparalleled depth, this work offers more than mere decoration; it offers an intellectual journey. The stark contrast between the deep, enveloping shadows and the luminous, fragmented forms creates a visual magnetism that commands attention in any sophisticated setting. To display a high-quality reproduction of this masterpiece is to invite a conversation about duality, transformation, and the mysteries of the cosmos into one's living space. It is a piece that rewards prolonged contemplation, revealing new layers of symbolic complexity with every glance, making it an essential acquisition for those who appreciate art that challenges the mind as much as it captivates the eye.
Salvador Dalí (1904 – 1989)
Explore Salvador Dalí (1904-1989), the master of Surrealism! Discover dreamlike landscapes, iconic imagery like melting clocks & his lasting impact on art & pop culture. #SalvadorDali #Surrealism
About this artwork
- Title: Polyhedron. Basketball Players Being Transformed into Angels (Assembling a Hologram - the Central Element), 1972
- Artist: Salvador Dalí
- Format: Landscape
- Copyright status: Under copyright
- Medium: Oil
- Period: Contemporary
- Corpus context: surrealist vision , spirituality intersection
- Main color: Putty
- Keywords: basketball transformation , sci-fi art , hologram symbolism
- Perceived brightness: shadow
Quick Facts
- Notable elements or techniques: Geometric forms, Hologram central element
- Year: 1972
- Artistic style: Symbolic painting
- Influences:
- Cubism
- Futurism
- Title: Polyhedron. Basketball Players Being Transformed into Angels (Assembling a Hologram - the Central Element)
- Medium: Oil painting
- Location: Forest Lawn Museum

