The surreal deal

A car dealership isn’t the most typical setting for an art exhibit, but don’t tell that to Newport Lexus.

The second floor of the dealership on MacArthur Boulevard is currently home to an exhibit of 75 original works by the famous Spanish artist Salvador Dalí, a collection ranging from sculptures to graphic engravings to watercolor paintings.

“We have two contrasting themes: Dalí and a Lexus car,” said Allen Moznett, general manager of Newport Lexus. “We put them together, and it’s a very good combination.”

The show opened June 18, with two celebrities on hand to accompany its inauguration: Samantha Harris, the co-host of “Dancing With The Stars,” and Kent Desormeaux, the horse jockey who recently rode Big Brown to two wins in the Triple Crown.

All of the exhibit’s items are on sale. Prices vary greatly, with a number of works valued at $15,000 while others, such as “Luna a la calunque de culip,” are worth as much as $450,000.

“This is a special program,” Moznett said. “We think a lot of doing these types of events. We expose people to what we believe is the ultimate luxury vehicle and something completely different [like Dalí] at the same time.”

“It’s a marriage,” Bruce Hochman, owner of the Salvador Dalí Gallery, said. “It brings together their customers to see Dalí’s artwork, while people coming to see Dalí are able to see Lexus cars.”

The gallery was the result of a partnership between the dealership and Hochman, who bought his car at Newport Lexus.

Hochman’s gallery has been accumulating the works of Dalí for more than 25 years and has been on display in places like Las Vegas and New York City in the past.

Things seem to be working out thus far for the gallery and the dealership.

“It’s been great,” Moznett said of the exhibit. “It’s been well-received by our customers.”

David Del Francia, a 21-year-old art student from Hermosa Beach, was excited at the chance to view Dali’s work.

“I wanted to see some real Dalí, see what it looks like in person,” he said.

The gallery will be open until Monday.

Admission is $10 at the entrance.

SALVADOR DALI

 Salvador Dalí, a Spanish Surrealist, was known for his painting “The Persistence of Memory.” The piece portrays melted pocket watches hanging languidly over branches, challenging the rigidity of time.

 Dalí studied art in Barcelona and Madrid, where he was exposed to myriad artistic styles and developed his technique.

 His work focused on subconscious imagery, which Dalí could reportedly elicit by inducing hallucinatory states through a process he called “paranoiac critical.”

 Dalí could often be seen in photos as slightly wide-eyed and wearing his thin black mustache in various styles. Sometimes his mustache was slicked back; other times, it was waxed upward, like two handle bars or — if he made it extra curly — like two parenthesis over his upper lip.

 Dalí also gained notoriety for his eccentric behavior in public.

 Dalí was born May 11, 1904, in Figueras, Spain. He died there Jan. 23, 1989.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Salvador Dalí Gallery

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from now until June 30

WHERE: The second floor of Newport Lexus, 3901 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach

COST: $10

INFO: Call Newport Lexus at (888) 323-9222