So what of his work is the biggest cause
for his impact on pop culture?
Despite his talent, his paintings and other
artwork are not truly masterpieces. Though a good painter, his talent
was not comparable to any great masters such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, or
even Picasso. The same can be said about his films. Though
many are cult classics, none are among the canon of the world's best films.
Indeed most of the acting in his films was truly horrid, provided as it
was by his followers from The Factory. Though most of his work was
shocking and innovating, its innovation alone does not seem cause enough
to propel him to the height of fame at which he reigns.
Self-Portrait 1986,
Andy Warhol
Taken from ANDY WARHOL Paintings
1960-1986, Hatje
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So what exactly is the reason for his vast
celebrity? The message is prevalent in his works, perhaps more than
any other artist he has influenced what pop culture has become. He
came to prominence in a time of great change for pop culture. We
went from the glamour and purity of early Hollywood to the sordid concept
of celebrity we live with today. He showed us that fame and the icons
of our culture were not the pure ideals we were led to believe. The
pop figures of his time were seen as living a perfect life. He showed
us the flaws of celebrity. He looked at our idolization of youth,
and the jaded age fearing path it led us down. He looked at the perfection
of fame and showed us its corrupt center. The lack of self-esteem
and the losing of one's self amongst the lights of celebrity. He
showed us the drugs, self-loathing, and apathy to which it led. Warhol
pointed out the rotten center of a world that our culture had looked at
as perfect. He changed an entire perception of reality. We
have never shifted back either. Now we are eager for the dark secrets
of our celebrities, for the dirty lies of our politicians. We have
seen the man behind the curtain and we can never go back to the naive views
of our past.
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Halston and Andy, 1984
Photo by Roxanne Lowit
THE WARHOL LOOK Francis/King |
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