Facets of Warhol

by Megan Newton

AEIVA’s Warhol: Fabricated exhibition is a fascinating collective summary of Andy Warhol’s career. There is such a variety of his work that someone with little exposure to his work, such as myself, could view the gallery and obtain an impressive feel for Warhol as an artist and as a person. The works included range from his famous silkscreens to sculpture, photography, and even video. The gallery also was able to exhibit some of his personal photographs, which contrasted nicely with the art by giving you a peek into Warhol as a person, and not just as an artist. The diversity of work really is just astounding. There were a few elements that stood out to me. First, the silver balloons, Silver Clouds, because they were interactive. Second, the screen tests of Edie Sedgwick and Lou Reed, Warhol’s filmic portraits of the superstar and musician looking directly into the camera for four minutes. These drew me in, made me feel more connected to the person represented in a way different from a typical photographic portrait. Third, the installation in the second gallery of the Nixon Vote McGovern print hung on a wall wallpapered with repeating images of Chinese dictator Mao read like a blazing monument to Pop Art with its bright colors and highly recognizable subject matter. Yet its contrast between flashy art and political subject matter was also compelling, making me stop and think.