It's a travesty that warhol (or any 'pop' artist) is considered an art master. It really shows how one's social life and contacts in the NYC art world can influence critics' opinions.
Take an objective look at this art and tell me with a straight face that this is an artist worthy of so much acclaim.
10
It's painful for me to read a critic packing up his aesthetic training & sense to pander at the altar of political correctness. We start off with analysis of the title, rather than the image. This is like setting sail for Japan from Lake Tahoe, the voyage is not even doomed, it's misbegotten. This Warhol is a fantastic piece of work - and this part of the process may come as a shock: for how it looks, the visual message, the ART.
It presents itself via hammer blow force when seen in person, and slightly less so viewed as reproduction as we do here. Agitated black graphics of figures, in a mashup of uniforms, animals, & victims, creates tension and discomfort. The viewer pans right for psychic relief but instead is delivered a monochromatic slap in the face, the eyes traverse back, and the process repeats. This is brilliant manipulation you cannot avoid and incredibly efficient aesthetic communication.
The work stands visually without reference to the real events, but when event are considered is also an apt historical synopsis; society itself attempted to avert it's gaze, and to no avail. It is intellectually tough and subversive, and ironically also a properly graphically decorative (as all Warhols must be) block of color - if you imagine it taking up wall space in an appropriately large room in an appropriate home.
The "riot" is visual, "color" (race) unavoidable, it's not just a reference to the events to be lazily picked on by PC critics.
19
Holland,
As with great poetry, great art sometimes needs someone just to open it up and bit and you just did that.
Excellent writing.
Best,
BvB
4
Warhol's Electric Chair series blew my mind.
6
I wasn't a fan. In fact, growing up on Long Island in the '60s, I thought he was nothing more than a fake. Avoided his work. UNTIL I decided to see this exhibit. Warhol's social commentary, his take on the times and his interpretive artistry were and remain relevant. I was tight on time so I'm going back for a more luxurious visit. Thanks for reminding me that time, as always, is short....
8