I’ve been researching Andy Warhol looking at his films in particular which seem pretty minimalist but rather interesting too. There’s a lot of discussion as to whether he’s a very clever and talented artist or whether he’s just a very clever businessman. It would be really helpful to see some more opinions and discussions about his talent and what we should appreciate about him…
He was an outstanding businessman and that was his art. Call it performance art or something. No way to separate the two in his case.
Time to yank out “my brush with Andy Warhol” story again.
Ages ago, when living in NYC, a friend of mine organized events and was in charge of some huge benefit ballet performance. The show had not sold out the expensive seats and she needed “seat fillers”, so I got a free ticket for about 8th row center.
I was sitting directly behind Andy Warhol and Bianca Jagger (at the time, best buddies).
During the intermission, I got to hear the scintillating conversation.
Bianca: “So, do you like these green shoes? I thought they looked cute. They had them in red, but I thought green looked better, but now I am not sure - maybe I should have gotten the red ones. But I like the green. I think the green look better, especially with this dress…”
Andy: Uh huh.
Bianca: “I really should have bought the red shoes instead. But I do like these green shoes…but the red shoes were cute too. I should have gotten the red shoes…”
For the entire intermission, it was just Bianca rambling on, and on, and on about her damned shoes and Andy didn’t move his head, didn’t say a single coherent sentence or do anything. I was so thankful when the intermission was over so Bianca would finally shut the hell up.
Claus Oldenberg was a much more brilliant pop artist, along with quite a few more who could ne named. All of whom most people never heard of. So I’m going with “businessman.”
Here in Atlanta, the High Museum is mounting a show “Picasso to Warhol.” a better title would be “We’re broke, so here’s a show to draw in people who don’t want to know anything more about art than what they already know.”
I’d say “businessman” as well but now all that are indistinguishable in art.
As for Picasso and Warhol I’m not so sure how much general public really know beyond the bombardment of superficial sheen.
Warhol was a unique and revolutionary artist. Was he a great artist? That depends on whom you ask. I know some art students and art scholars in real life who absolutely loath Warhol and his influence on contemporary art. Personally, having visited in the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, I like some of his work. Most of his films are boring but some are groundbreaking. I thought that the Brillo boxes and Campbell soup can art was a parody of commercialism more than anything else, but am not certain about Warhol’s intent.
I have the impression that Warhol was a successful businessman in the grand scheme ong term, but he was not financially successful until the later part of his career 1970s - 80s. He was extremely wealthy when he died.
Also…
Warhol was a very prolific artist. A LOT of art was created - good, bad, and in between - at The Factory much of it with the help of assistants and friends.
Warhol was also fascinated with fame and famous people…in part evidenced by his silkscreen art of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, Liz Tayor, and others. Being located in NYC allowed frequent access to celebrities many of whom were intrigued by Warhol the scene around him.
The volume of art created, the connections to celebrities, the iconic appearance of certain works, fabled stories of The Factory during it’s prime, et cetera all combined to give Warhol’s art a sense of history and prestige. Perhaps he was a good businessman sort of by accident.
In a May, 1983 “Playboy” interview, Ansel Adams was asked for his opinion about Andy Warhol
“Terrible. Ghastly. To me, he is just an ass. His work means nothing to me. In short, repulsive.”
Ansel Adams was 81 in 1983 and died not long after. He was one generation older than Warhol and undoubtedly more conservative in his taste. Speaking as someone who likes some of Adams’ photography and is indifferent to Warhol’s output ( that I’ve seen ), I’m not sure I’d use him as an “Appeal to Authority” in this case.
“Poltroon,” he added, adjusting his knickerbockers. “Whippersnapper.”