FAMOUS! (And not-so-famous): Polaroids by Andy Warhol
Located in Cohen Memorial Hall, (January 11 – March 2, 2018) 4-7 pm
And
y Warhol is a big deal. Think technicolor Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson, soup cans, and the colorful collection of celebrities, drag queens, writers, and scholars that filled his galas. Think one of the most influential artists of the modern art world. And his artwork is being shown 10 minutes from your dorm.
Even if you’re not usually much of an art person, if you’re a person who likes the interesting and the funky then spend a few moments in Cohen Memorial Hall from now till March 2. FAMOUS! (And not so famous) is an exhibit comprised of polaroid pictures taken by Andy Warhol of celebrities and non-celebrities with short backstories included in plaques next to the artwork.
People like Dolly Parton, Georgia O’Keefe, and O.J.Simpson are on display, as well as Andy Warhol’s lovers and even some anonymous shots of body parts. Not only will you get to experience artwork, you’ll also be experiencing history: Warhol’s history, as well as modern America’s. Through Warhol’s polaroid camera you gain an intimate view of each subject; you feel as if you know each one as lose as a friend. In a tiny frame, O.J. clutches a football in an casual, personal way no photo shoot could ever capture.
The celebrities Warhol exposed with his polaroid were all flamboyantly famous, some involved in scandal, such as accusations of OJ Simpson murdering his ex-wife, Georgia O’Keefe’s romantic involvement with a man 50 years younger than her, and in the case of Dolly Parton, a woman whose every appearance draws excitement and drama.
These iconic celebrities hung next to polaroids of people that might not have been known to the entire world, however were a part of Warhol’s experience of the world. Walking amongst this mix of characters feels like you’re attending one of Warhol’s infamous galas, rubbing elbows with all walks of life.
On January 25th you can become part of the exhibit by snapping a polaroid of yourself and adding your picture to one of the walls. So come enjoy this amazing and extremely close exhibit housing the work of one of history’s most controversial and intriguing artists.