Salvador Dali’s foundation is considering legal action over the use of the Spanish artist’s image in a Netflix TV series that shows thieves wearing Dali-like masks during a robbery.
According to local media, the Gala – Salvador Dali Foundation, based in the north-eastern Spanish province of Girona, is furious that producers allegedly used the surrealist’s image in the Spanish-language series ‘La Casa de Papel’ (‘Money Heist’).
The foundation, which protects the Spanish artist’s estate and legacy, claims that no one asked for permission to use Dali’s likeness.
Meanwhile, producers of the Netflix show, which won the 2018 Emmy award for Best Drama Series, said that they did not seek permission because the depicted mask was a caricature.
They claim that the mask was specially created for the series and features a general image of someone with an upturned moustache.
A spokesperson for co-producers Atresmedia said: “The mask is a design that reminds us of Salvador Dali, but a moustache like that could be worn by anyone, even though Dali popularised it.”
It is unclear whether the Gala – Salvador Dali Foundation will take the matter further.
Born in 1904, Dali was a prominent surrealist who is best known for his striking and often bizarre images. He died in Catalonia in 1989 aged 84.
‘Money Heist’ debuted on Spanish TV in May 2017, before being acquired by Netflix later that year.
In 2018, Netflix announced that the show was their most-watched non-English language series ever.
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Story By: Angjela Trajkovska, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
