Do not dilly-dally, go see works of Dali

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

The famous Spanish painter Salvador Dali’s works continue to attract attention. The exhibition in Sakıp Sabancı Museum, or SSM, named "A Surrealist in Istanbul: Salvador Dali," was scheduled to close Jan. 20, but because of the interest of art lovers it will stay open until Feb. 1.

The interest is not only from art lovers of Istanbul but also from other cities. Diyarbakır Governorship organized a trip for 50 students to Istanbul. The fine arts students from Dicle University gathered in front of the building of Ministry of Education to travel to Istanbul one day before the New Year.

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The project "Diyarbakır Gets Together," financed by State Planning Organization, or DPT, has a budget of YTL 680,000 and aims to organize events throughout the new year to bring together public and state officials.

Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu met with the students and talked to them inside the bus before they hit the road. "A group of students from the painting department of the university said they wanted to visit Salvador Dali’s exhibition in Istanbul," said Mutlu. "I was happy to hear the request of the students." Accepting the will, Mutlu said all the arrangements were made and if there were any further requests from students beneficial for them the governorship may evaluate them. Wishing students a good time in Istanbul, Mutlu bade farewell to the students, who will also visit Istanbul Modern Art Museum, Pera Art Museum, Dolmabahçe Palace, Topkapı Place and Hagia Sophia Museum.

The chairman of SSM Nazan Ölçer said the administrative council knew the exhibition would be visited as much as others from famous artists such as Picasso and Rodin. "We are very happy with the attention. We receive many letters, phone calls and e-mails praising the exhibition," said Ölçer.

Visited by more than 160,000 people, the Dali exhibition hosts 385 pieces; 33 paintings, 113 sketches, 111 engravings and 12 lithography. Along with this collection, Dali’s letters, notes and photographs are displayed as well.

"Diyarbakır Gets Together" project will also promote Diyarbakır’s tourist places, successful sportsmen and students, organize events, cooperate with non-governmental organizations, or NGO’s, and organize tours for the locals.