As times have changed, the rules and regulations surrounding smoking, both on the ground and in the air, have evolved as well. While smoking in an aircraft during flight seems unimaginable today and will result in consequences for any person, the practice was normal and somewhat viewed as a sign of luxury decades ago. In fact, as such an important element of the inflight experience, one airline commissioned an artist to create an ashtray for cigarettes. Although the unique art pieces are understandably no longer in use today – at least on aircraft – they symbolize the past, showing how society has drastically evolved.
In the years surrounding Air India’s elephant ashtray gifting stint in the 1960s – created by Salvador Dalí, there were, however, calls for smoking to be banned on flights. Just two years after Dalí designed the porcelain pieces, a consumer advocate by the name of Ralph Nader became one of the first people to petition for smoking to be prohibited on commercial flights. Flight attendants during the time also pushed for a smoke-free environment. This was not only due to safety and fire risks, but also health problems that were caused by the chemicals in tobacco smoke.
Art reflecting the lifestyle
Contrary to what flying may be considered today, the type of travel was a lifestyle in the 60s. Passengers would be pampered with caviar and champagne, while the inflight crew would wear designer uniforms and upscale jewelry. According to Condé Nast Traveller, the time was known as the Golden Age of Flying, where no expense was spared. As a pioneer in luxury, Air India was at the top of the chain at one point. The airline was the only carrier to gift unique animal-like ashtrays, which can be seen as a piece of history today. However, in order for Dalí to create the once-beloved pieces of art, the carrier had to pay an unusual price: an elephant.
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The airline’s Public Relations Officer, Jot Singh, met with Dalí in New York City in 1967. Air India, which collected art, pushed Singh to ask the Spanish artist to create something special for the carrier. After obliging, Dalí developed a small unglazed porcelain ashtray. The center was shaped like a shell with a serpent on the perimeter. Holding up the center were two stands that appeared as swans when the ashtray was sitting upside down. However, when sitting right side up, the entire ashtray takes the shape of an elephant.
Photo: Modernism Exchange
As noted by Firstpost, Dalí described the piece’s double image effect.
“The reflection of an elephant’s head looks like a swan and the reflection of a swan appears to be an elephant. This is what I have done for the ashtray. The swan up-side-down becomes an elephant’s head and the elephant inverted — a swan.”
An infatuation with elephants
Dalí also once said the ashtrays were based on his “paranoia critical method,” according to The Irish Times. It is also believed that the design may have been inspired by the artist’s desire to ride an elephant across the Alps. There is no question whether Dalí had an infatuation with the giant animals, however. As payment for his unique art creation, he asked Air India for an elephant, and just as Dalí obliged to make the ashtray, the airline agreed to honor his compensation request.
Photo: Modernism Exchange
According to an Air India historical blog, the carrier flew a two-year-old elephant from Bangalore, along with a keeper, to Geneva. The giant baby animal was then transported to Cadaqués and cleared through customs. The keeper then took the elephant to Dalí’s house, and it was walked up to a glass stage. A ceremony was held to celebrate the animal’s arrival, with villagers dancing around the animal. The mayor of Cadaqués declared a three-day holiday to commemorate the elephant, and a special parade was even organized at the plaza. Special drinks, along with wine, Indian tea, and pink champagne, which was believed to be Dalí’s favorite, were served at the ceremony. In addition, an Indian astrologer traveled from Bombay to be part of the celebration.
When asked why Dalí requested the elephant, he reportedly explained that he would look forward to watching the animal in a new habitat.
“I wish to keep him in my olive grove and watch the patterns of shadows the moonlight makes through the twigs on his back,” the artist said.
The elephant eventually grew too large, which caused Dalí to lose interest in the animal. In 1971, it was transported to the Barcelona Zoo.
Photo: Modernism Exchange
The ashtrays were approximately four inches by three inches across and stood two-and-a-half inches tall. It is believed that around 500 were made in total, although other reports online indicate that there may have been as many as 860. They were gifted to some of Air India’s most valued art lovers and friends all over the world, including individuals such as Juan Carlos, the once-King of Spain.
The “most unusual ashtray”
Upon gifting the ashtrays, Air India explained that it was “delighted” to offer the unique piece of art.
“It is the first time that an artist of such world stature has designed an “objet d´art” for an airline. And we at Air-India are honoured and delighted to be able to present this most unusual ashtray to you.”
Photo: Modernism Exchange
The serpent surrounding the perimeter of the ashtray was painted in blue on some, but not all pieces. Some photos display a green serpent. Most ashtrays are untraceable, but one appears to be located in Miami, Florida, according to Modernism Exchange. It is unclear how much the artifact may cost.
While the ashtrays are a piece of history, they starkly contrast how smoking is viewed today. In 1973, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned smoking in aircraft lavatories – four years after Nader called for the ruling, according to Tobaccocontrol.com. This was after a cigarette started a fire in a lavatory that resulted in a tragic crash that killed 124 people. The FAA, however, was slow to ban smoking entirely. As Nader and others continued to push for smoking to be prohibited in all areas of commercial aircraft, a federal law initially banned smoking on all US domestic flights shorter than six hours in 1990. Thankfully, smoking is prohibited on all commercial flights and is a federal offense.
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