In 1965 the Catalan artist Salvador Dali painted his now famous "La Gare De Perpignan", currently displayed at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne. It is a work of art which is considered to be an exceptional example of the surrealist movement and reflecting Dali's apparent obsession with immortality.
By the way the title image above is not the image of Dali's masterpiece, but a photo of the train station taken from the neighbouring bus station (so no copyright infringement...phew!). So far I am sounding like I know what I am talking about....thank goodness for Google ;-)
Indeed, it seems that Dali used to frequent Perpignan and its environs due to the excellent light and it is said that he used to gain inspiration by sitting in the station lobby, where in 1963 he apparently experienced a "vision of cosmogonic ecstasy" resulting in said master-piece. Well, suitably enthused about the prospect of good light and with expectations of a similar level of ecstasy, I set off from my hotel, armed with the XT20 and 27mm, hoping for at best an "ecstatic ephiphany" and at worst, a few interesting shots!
My first stop en-route was the Place De Catalogne, where to my delight I was formally introduced to the old master as he presided over all before him.
In fact he was my guide as he gazed directly long the Boulevard Wilson, a splendid if not slightly jaded reminder of how grand this area of Perpignan must have been back in the day, leading directly to his beloved Gare De Perpignan.
As I approached the station my excitement was further heightened as I literally stumbled across further evidence of Dali's influence, finding a plaque engraved in the stone of the concourse in his honour. I would recognize that mustache anywhere!
I had finally reached my destination. The station itself was originally opened in 1858 and whilst I fear it that its current state is not quite as described or envisaged by Dali, it does serve the Department Pyrénées- Orientales and Occitane Southern Fance extremely well.
First stop, I headed towards the station lobby for my much anticipated epiphany. Hmm, I wasn't really feeling it so no luck there, but I did manage a noisette (an expresso coffee) and a pain au chocolat, so all was not lost!
Suitably refreshed, although still feeling a little desperate, I looked to the heavens for inspiration and my wishes were answered, with parts of the ceiling of the lobby having been decorated in the style of the great master, with swirls of yellows, creating enormous butterflies, or at least that is how I interpreted them. After all, art is all about one's personal interpretation isn't it?
Still somewhat deflated, and without any surreal spiritual or physical manifestations, I headed towards the boarding platform, contemplating wether this really was the centre of Dali's world and if so, his was definitely a world with which I remain unfamiliar.
Then voila!, I noticed the following words painted in large white letters across the Platform, "Perpignan Centre Du Monde". So it had to be true!
My journey had reached a successful conclusion. Although I departed La Gare De Perpignan without my cosmogonic experience, I was happy in the knowledge that I had secured a few interesting photos and that I had made my small personal contribution to the history of the surrealist movement!