Critical Response 5

Summary: Along with Warhol’s other works, he had a fascination with Hollywood. Thus, sparking his artist recreations of several different stars in the 1960’s. Along with this celebrity kick, he also had a “death and disaster” era in his art. During this time he would create pictures of electric chairs and car crashes. He then started his film career in 1963. He made over 600 films in a little over ten years, ranging from four minutes long to twenty-five hours long. He held his first exhibition for his sculptures in 1964. After his painting “Flowers” was exhibited in Paris in 1965 he announced his retirement from painting to focus on filmmaking. In 1966, Cow Wallpaper was exhibited. Then in 1968, Solanas shot Warhol in the chest nearly causing his death. He published around nine art books. During the 1970’s Warhol experimented with invisible sculpture, oxidation painting, TV production and much more. Then in the 1980’s he produced music videos and modeled during fashion shows. He also began collaborating with different artist for new projects. Tragically he died in 1987 due to a complication during a routine surgery.

Response: In this biography of Warhol’s life, Wrbican is sure to expand on each phase of Warhol’s career. I did not realize the versatility the Warhol had. People today know him as a pop artist but once you really look at his career, you realize that he was so much more than that. Probably the most outrageous thing that I have heard from Warhol’s career has been the Oxidation Paintings. Wrbican describes the painting made with urine and metallic paint as, “beautiful abstract shapes, in contrast to their shocking medium.” I mean, I knew that Warhol thought outside of the box, but really?

Wrbican, Matt. "Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film." PBS. 1 Apr 2009. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/andy-warhol/a- documentary-film/44/>.