Sunday, February 15, 2015

A Different Kind of Warhol

by Starla O.

Having never really been a fan of Andy Warhol’s “usual” work, the Warhol: Fabricated exhibition at UAB’s AEIVA offers a different array of items that could easily change one’s mind (e.g., no Campbell soup cans, no Liz Taylors, and only one Marilyn). And for that reason, I was instantly intrigued. The most eye-catching piece is the Silver Clouds installation. I was fascinated by the simplicity of the piece, as well as the ability to recreate an exact replica of Warhol’s original.  The silver balloons are about half the size of a person and lightly float throughout the room, hitting each other and their viewers. The metallic color of the balloons offers a subtle surprise. While the metallic color is normally associated with heavy objects, the balloons are as light as air and highly sensitive to the slightest touch. Despite the large size of the balloons and the metallic color, they offer a delicate and calming quality. With the balloons floating in the air, interacting with each other and the viewers, they create a playful nature, and defy the “definition” of art.  The “clouds” are created from a material called Scotchpak created by 3M. It is a heat-sealable material that is filled with helium. Silver Clouds was first shown in April of 1966 at the Leo Castelli Gallery. 

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