Dali, the famous surrealist artist of the twentieth century, was also passionately interested in the world around him, including topics such as quantum physics, biology and mathematics. He was particularly fascinated by the helix and, more especially, the double helix of DNA.
The shape features in a number of his paintings, including, probably most famously, the lengthily named Galacidalacidesoxiribunucleicacid. Dali commented on the length of the title, but remarked that the theme of “the genetical persistence of human memory” was even longer. He appears to use the helix as a symbol of God and creation.
In 2011, a purpose-built museum opened to house the existing collection of Dali works in St Petersburg, Florida. The building and grounds recognise Dali’s fascination with the helix.
The first example of this is the stunning free-standing spiral staircase inside the museum. How can you not accept this grand invitation to explore the upper galleries?
The second is a Fibonacci spiral that is built into the paved area of the garden outside. The Fibonacci numbers (1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,89,…), where each number equals the sum of the two previous numbers, produces beautiful spirals that are demonstrated in nature in such things as sea shells or an uncurling fern.
In the gardens here, rectangles representing the Fibonacci numbers have been created in different coloured stones and a silver spiral twines itself around the corners of these squares.
Here a boy studies the explanatory plaque at the centre of the spiral
For more on this spectacular museum, see I Dillied and I Dali-ed.
For an excellent program on Dali, his works and his influence outside the art world watch the following Youtube clip of a BBC documentary (56 minutes)
Linked to Frizztext’s Tagged H Challenge, Favourite Photo Friday, ABC Wednesday and Alphabe Thursday.
Travel with Intent 
I wish I was good enough at math to grasp the formula of this.
I just think it’s cool.
And that makes me happy.
And.
I totally, totally love this word…
Galacidalacidesoxiribunucleicacid
Thanks for a fascinating link for the letter H. This makes me totally happy.
A+
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so fascinating!
The Fibonacci numbers display is especially cool!
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Great photos, and I loved what Freda said! Hahahaha!!
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He even had a Helix at the end of his mustache! đ
Love Dali!
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LOL
On Fri, Jul 11, 2014 at 1:07 AM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Mathematics and art seem an unlikely combination, but the proof is in that beautiful design.
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Nature is more complex than we’d have guessed!
On Thu, Jul 10, 2014 at 10:30 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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I’ve been to St. Petersburg but it was before this museum was built. Not too much into modern art, but I liked Dali. Thanks for telling us about it. {:-D
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Very interesting. That’s quite a place. (The video didn’t work for me.)
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Amazing photos!
Leslie
abcw team
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Great shots!
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Always love the intersection of math and art!
ROG, ABC Wednesday
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Grand creation! So glad to see the pics.
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mathematics inside everything! thank you for: “a Fibonacci spiral that is built into the paved area of the garden outside. The Fibonacci numbers (1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,89,âŚ), where each number equals the sum of the two previous numbers, produces beautiful spirals that are demonstrated in nature in such things as sea shells or an uncurling fern…”
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