Andy Warhol was born 80 years ago today
Peter Hoskin 2:26pm
It's 80 years since the birth of Andy Warhol - an occasion which I feel shouldn't go unmarked. To be honest, though, my reaction to his work oscillates wildly. Sometimes it seems warm and inclusive, and I enjoy it. At others, it's too arch and mechanstic, and I don't. But I guess that's Warhol's allure. His very indeterminateness is an artform in itself.
P.S. What better occasion to dust off this article from the Spectator archives? It's the incomparable Taki, with his personal recollections of Warhol's Studio 54 scene.
P.P.S. One recommendation: Warhol's 1966 film Chelsea Girls. It's quite hard to get hold of, on DVD or otherwise. But well worth it.
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Max Kaye
August 6th, 2008 5:03pm Report this commentI can't think of anyone so famous who was as talentless....
Perhaps Mark Rothko? No. He's less famous...
Trumpeter Lanfried
August 6th, 2008 5:19pm Report this commentWarm and inclusive ... arch and mechanstic ... His very indeterminateness is an artform in itself.
Pseud alert! Pseud alert!
David Max
August 6th, 2008 6:26pm Report this commentGarrison Keillor of National Public Radio read a poem about Andy today from a new book published on his birthday: http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/
Commondog
August 6th, 2008 7:34pm Report this comment'warm and inclusive'?
'His very indeterminateness is an artform in itself.'
Peter, do me a favour mate, just twat me over the head with this baseball bat?
Verity
August 6th, 2008 7:53pm Report this commentOi, Pete! Where's my comment that I sent in around four hours ago?
Verity
August 6th, 2008 8:00pm Report this commentDavid Max - Love it! Have sent it on.
Verity
August 6th, 2008 8:02pm Report this commentMax Kaye - Although not in the same class, Celine Dion might be a contender for the Third Division.
Pete Hoskin
August 6th, 2008 8:03pm Report this commentVerity: I've dug out the one you left on Taki's piece - there was a mix-up at our end. Apologies. That should be up now.
Trumpeter and Commondog: point taken!
Fergus Pickering
August 7th, 2008 9:48am Report this commentYou can't think of anyone so famous whjo was so talentless,Mark? I've just watched Paris Hilton on TV. And there are Posh Spice and Ozzie Osborn. I could go on. And in the art world, good Heavens they're jostling for attention there.
Verity
August 7th, 2008 1:42pm Report this commentPete Hoskins, I see that even after you acknowledged above that my post sent 24 hours ago had been found, it was still never posted.
My other post, where I nominated, for the Third Division of the famous and talentless, Celine Dion has also never appeared.
What is the point in writing a post? Is this some sort of existential, Warholesque exercise?
Pete Hoskin
August 7th, 2008 1:51pm Report this commentVerity: I replied to your e-mail about this. The comment you sent in "24 hours ago" was made on Taki's article. It was approved. And is appearing on Taki's article.
Your comment on this post about Celine Dion was approved last night. It appeared above at 20:02 (GMT) yesterday.
Verity
August 7th, 2008 5:48pm Report this commentThanks, Pete.
Max Kaye
August 7th, 2008 10:24pm Report this comment.... Of course, I also forgot to mention virtually everyone associated with Brit Art. But then I guess that in 40 years time the likes of Hirst, Emin, et al will be totally forgotten.
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