Possession Obsession: Andy Warhol And Collecting
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Architecture
Possession Obsession: Andy Warhol And Collecting Details
From Library Journal This fascinating and visually exciting exhibition catalog reflects the more personal side of Andy Warhol's celebrity persona, that of the compulsive and obsessive collector. With a little help from Frederick Hughes and Jed Johnson, Warhol became a collector extraordinaire with an eye for everything from fine art to furniture to kitsch. This catalog chronicles the diversity of Warhol's obsession, based on the historic Sotheby's auction of his personal collection in April 1988. Essays by a range of contributors focus on Warhol's life as a collector, his important museum installations, and various collection genres. Highlighted are notable objects from art deco to Americana, including Native American and folk art, as well as jewelry and shoes, photographs and cookie jars, and his unique "time capsules." Edited by the archivist of the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, the catalog is the perfect amalgamation of objects, ideas, events, and personalities. For libraries focusing on decorative arts and contemporary artists.Stephen Allan Patrick, East Tennessee State Univ. Libs., Johnson City Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more About the Author Andy Warhol started out as a very successful commercial illustrator, and became a painter, photographer, printmaker, film and video maker, magazine publisher, author, and celebrity. He had his first art show in 1962, at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles which showed his "32 Campbell's Soup Cans." From that point on Warhol's work revolutionized the art world. Read more
Reviews
I bought this as a gift for my girlfriend, who loves Warhol (although now it seems everyone loves Warhol). She was not very intrigued by the book, even though she also loves collecting knick-knacks. So I looked closely at the book trying to figure out why, and I have to say that the book just doesn't have enough in it. I think that the text is well written and shares some interesting anecdotes, and philosophical/psychological discussion of collecting, but that's not really why I thought the book would be cool. I think we wanted to see those Time Capsule boxes opened up, more shots of his home (there are some, but not many), and then there is a whole chapter on random people who collect things--why is this chapter included? Do I care what some unkown goofball finds interesting? I think this book was a great concept, but it falls flat in my mind.