Cybernetic Lobster Telephone (Imagination & Objects of the Future Portfolio), 1975-1976

Salvador Dalí's "Cybernetic Lobster Telephone" (1975-1976) is a lithograph included within his "Imagination & Objects of the Future Portfolio." This portfolio showcased the artist's exploration of fantastical inventions and technology. The work depicts a standard telephone receiver replaced by a lobster. The lobster's body functions as the handset, with the receiver positioned near its claw. The background is left blank, placing emphasis on the bizarre combination.

This piece exemplifies Dalí's signature Surrealist style, where dreamlike imagery and illogical juxtapositions challenge the boundaries of reality. The fusion of a commonplace object, the telephone, with a living creature like a lobster creates a sense of absurdity and compels the viewer to question the nature of communication in a fantastical future. Interpretations of "Cybernetic Lobster Telephone" vary.

Some see it as a humorous commentary on technological advancements, suggesting that future communication might become nonsensical or even impractical. Others view it as a symbolic representation of the potential for technology to become invasive or even replace human interaction. Regardless of interpretation, "Cybernetic Lobster Telephone" remains a captivating example of Dalí's ability to blend the familiar with the fantastical, prompting viewers to contemplate the ever-evolving relationship between humanity and technology.