The website for Monterey's Dali17
The Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí in Figueres, Spain has sued the museum Dalí17 in Monterey, California over its use of the artists name and imagery. The museums logo, which features a sketch of Dalis face complete with upturned moustache, and its “unauthorised” use of the artists work on its website, social media accounts and merchandise “unfairly and unlawfully wrest from the Foundation control over its DALÍ marks and its reputation, particularly as the Foundation has no control over the quality of Defendants goods or services,” according to the complaint. “As a result, the Foundations extremely valuable reputation is being irreparably damaged.”
Dalí17 opened with much fanfare—and a $20 entry fee (plus tax)—in July 2016 in the former home of the coastal citys historical museum, and reportedly attracted more than 50,000 visitors in its first year. The Monterey History and Art Association turned over the space to the Ukrainian-born, Pebble Beach-based real estate developer Dimitry Piterman to permanently display his 500-piece collection, billed as the largest private holdings of the Surrealists work on the West Coast. In addition to exhibiting drawings, etchings, lithographs and sculptures—including Dalis famous Mae West Lips sofa—the museum documents Salvador and Galas time in Monterey during the Second World War, when they became local celebrities. The artist even hosted a “A Surrealist Night in an Enchanted Forest” fundraiser in the citys Del Monte Hotel in 1941 to aid refugee artists in Europe.
But the Figueres foundation, which controls the artists intellectual property rights for the Kingdom of Spain, Dalis sole heir, says the museum is using his name without its autorisation and “have reproduced and displayed copyrighted artworks” that the museum does not own. “Defendants have been informed that their conduct is unlawful, but remain undeterred and continue to advertise and provide goods and services infringing on the foundations intellectual property and publicity rights,” the foundations lawyers say.
The foundation is seeking the destruction of any merchandise or promotional material from the museum bearing Dalí name or image as well as real and punitive damages, including any profits made by the museum, and court fees. It also wants the museum to hand over its website domain name dali17.com.
Piterman and the Monterey History and Art Association did not immediately return a request for comment, but when the museum first opened the collector told the Monterey Herald: “To be able to share with people his best-known works is special to me. I hope it brings memories and fame to the city and back to Dalí.” Lawrence Chavez, the president of the Monterey History and Art Association, said at the time: “I think its going to be good for the community and its going to be good for the MHAA because we can really concentrate on our mission, which is to preserve art and adobes in Monterey.” He added: “Monterey wont be a one-trick pony anymore.”
