Friday architect Yann Weymouth was in St Petersburg to discuss the Salvador Dali Museum here in downtown St Pete that he designed. He's frequently here to oversee the construction, of course, but rarely do we have a chance to listen to him and ask questions. He was the speaker at the Vinoy Business Alliance lunch at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel on Friday. The screen is showing a view of the spiral staircase in the lobby which extends up to what is perhaps the world's largest finial. It was fascinating listening to how his designs came about. You can see some renderings of the new museum here. The new building will open 1-11-1111. Yann found that he really likes St Pete so has recently moved here to Pinellas County. Welcome, Yann!
Architect Yann Weymouth in St Petersburg to discuss the Salvador Dali Museum
8 comments • Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS • August 11 2010 06:20PMComments
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Thanks for the msg Sharon. Sounds like everyone wants to move to Florida these days. I have seen a few Dali pieces they always seem interesting at the very least.
I didn't know a new museum was going in. It looks exciting & surreal (wouldn't expect anything else), Have always loved the location by the water.
Sharon, Dali is so interesting to me. We had some of his works displayed at "The Phil" a few years ago. You're inspiring me to head out to see who's there now. A friend who had lived here for nearly 8 years never took the opportunity to explore there. I will make it there at least 4 or five times a year.
this is a great localism post that I had no idea about! Thanks for the information!
Robert - some people are just moving around within Florida. That was the case for Yann. We see more people moving over to St Pete from Tampa, too.
Laura - the current museum had a nice waterfront location, though farther than the usual walking downtown, but it wasn't surreal. I like that aspect of the new one.
Kevin - we get "busy" and forget to take advantage of what's right around us. Too often we put things off for another day - which may or may not come.
Barbara-Jo - if you're in downtown St Pete it's hard to miss this, between Mahaffey Theater and the Albert Whitted airport. Be sure to come see if after it's open.
How did St. Pete acquire the Dali museum? Was it a community effort? What a great localism blog when it fianally opens.
Michael,
The Morses had accumulated the largest collection of Dali outside of his home city in Spain. In the mid 1970s they were looking for a museum to house it. A coalition from St Pete, led by a young attorney, James Martin, convinced them to locate it here in St Pete. There's more detailed information on the Dali Museum website linked above.
St Pete is lucky to have the Dali here and I think the new museum will be really great!
As a designer myself who studied his works, I'm jealous and might consider a trip in the future.