A 150-year-old building in Old Montreal is getting a new purpose as the future home of a museum dedicated to surrealist artist Salvador Dalí.
The Musée des archives de Salvador Dalí (MASD) unveiled its vision Tuesday during a press conference at the former Harbour Commissioners’ Building. It was built in 1875 and is set to open to the public for the first time in its history.
Beyond the melting clocks
Founded by historian Félix Bélanger and directed by Lorraine Pintal, the museum aims to introduce visitors to lesser-known sides of Dalí, whose work extended beyond his famous paintings into printmaking, illustration, fashion, theatre and design.
Bélanger said the building itself is a fitting setting for the artist’s work.
“When you’re in front of an artwork of Salvador Dalí, you’re like, ‘I’m not sure I understand. I don’t know where I am, but I love it.’ It’s the same thing,” he said.
The idea for the museum grew out of Bélanger’s research into Dalí, which began in 2017 and eventually led him to Frank Hunter in New York. Hunter has documented the artist’s work since 1969.
The museum’s collection will include authenticated artwork and archival records, with a focus on preserving, documenting and researching Dalí’s legacy.
Organizers say the aim is to give visitors a deeper understanding of the artist’s creative process and the ideas behind his work.
The experience will also draw on Quebec’s traditions in theatre, music, dance and circus.
“We’re going to present them with the Montreal Touch, the Quebec Touch, the way we do things here in Quebec,” Bélanger said.
Plans include music, projections, lighting and occasional live performances, as well as new exhibitions intended to give visitors new reasons to return.
“It’s going to be like a theater play,” Bélanger said. “We’ll put all of our genius behind his artwork, with music, with projections, with lights, with a lot of creativity.”
A new chapter for a historic landmark
Bélanger said Montreal was the right home for the project because of its cosmopolitan character and mix of French and English cultures.
“I’m so, so proud, so happy that we bring Salvador Dalí to Montréal,” Bélanger said.
Construction is underway, with the museum expected to open in 2027.
“If there’s a promise I can make, people who come here are going to be like, ‘I don’t know where I am, but I love it, and I will come back. I will bring friends, I will bring family.’ It’s going to be a fun museum, a fun place to be in Montreal,” Bélanger said.
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