Retrospective (1928-1987). The exhibition spans the legendary artist's entire career, from the early 1940s through 1986 and features key early works from such landmark series as Campbell’s Soup Cans, Marilyn, Jackie, Mao, Elvis, Flowers, Disaster and Self-Portraits. More than 200 paintings, drawings and sculptures by the influential 20th-century artist, forming one of the most extensive surveys of Warhol’s work.
Andy Warhol Retrospective is the first comprehensive
exhibition of the work of Andy Warhol (1928-1987) to be
presented in Los Angeles in over 30 years. The only
American venue for the retrospective, MOCA will bring
together more than 200 paintings, drawings, and
sculptures by the influential 20th-century artist, forming
one of the most extensive surveys of Warhol’s work ever
mounted in the United States.
This exhibition remains on
view through August 18, 2002. The exhibition will occupy
the entire 25,000 square feet gallery space of the MOCA
at California Plaza building.
Andy Warhol Retrospective spans the legendary artist’s
entire career, from the early 1940s through 1986, and
features key early works from such landmark series as
Campbell’s Soup Cans, Marilyn, Jackie, Mao, Elvis, Flowers,
Disaster, and Self-Portraits. Organized by Heiner Bastian
for the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, the exhibition then
traveled to the Tate Modern in London. MOCA’s
presentation will feature key additional loans secured only
for Los Angeles.
The exhibition also includes rare examples of Warhol’s early
drawings dating back to the 1940s, as well as the first
groundbreaking hand-painted, black-and-white works
depicting common objects of the early 1960s. Of particular
focus are the 1960s Disaster paintings - including iconic
themes of Suicide, Electric Chair, and Car Crash - and early
groups of work seldom seen together, such as the Most
Wanted Men. A selection of Andy Warhols last major series
of paintings, based on Leonardo da Vincis 15th century
painting of Christ and his Apostles at the Last Supper, will
be included in the exhibition. The monumental paintings
based on Leonardos celebrated masterpiece, are
considered among Warhols most significant late work.
"Andy Warhol was the most important chronicler of the
second half of the 20th century", said Heiner Bastian,
curator of the exhibition. "His powerful and striking images
capture the beauty and tragedy of the significant events
and icons of his time and his works have made an indelible
mark on contemporary culture".
MOCA’s unique opportunity to host this extraordinary
exhibition underscores the landmark position that the city
occupies in the history of Warhol’s early work. Warhol’s
first solo exhibition of Campbell’s Soup Cans
paintings was presented in Los Angeles at the legendary
Ferus Gallery in 1962, followed by Elvis Portraits in 1963. In
1970, the Pasadena Art Museum organized the first
American retrospective exhibition to travel internationally.
"Given Warhol’s close association Los Angeles, it is only
fitting for MOCA to host this landmark exhibition", said
MOCA Director Jeremy Strick. "We are privileged to bring
Warhol back to Los Angeles and honor his extraordinary
and lasting contributions to the art and culture of our
time".
Employing mass-production techniques to create works,
Warhol erased traditional distinctions between fine art and
popular culture, subtly blurring the boundaries of mass art
and high culture with his striking appropriations. His choice
of subjects tapped into important themes: power, fame,
and tragedy. With an unerring eye for iconic images, from
common objects to celebrities and disasters, Warhol
produced a lasting oeuvre that captured the essence of
American culture. His choice of subjects tapped into
important themes: power, fame, and tragedy. With an
unerring eye for iconic images, from common objects to
celebrities and disasters, Warhol produced a lasting oeuvre
that captured the essence of American culture.
"Merrill Lynch is proud to sponsor Andy Warhol
Retrospective, a dynamic exhibition that sheds insight on
an artist whose work changed the context and vocabulary
of contemporary art", said David H. Komansky, chairman
and chief executive officer, and E. Stanley O’Neal,
president and chief operating officer. "We are especially
pleased to partner with The Museum of Contemporary Art,
the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau and the
City of Los Angeles, in their commitment to fostering
cultural innovation and excellence in their community."
Andy Warhol Retrospective has been organized by the
Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin and curated by Bastian, art
historian and independent curator. MOCA’s presentation is
coordinated by MOCA Senior Curator Ann Goldstein.
MOCA Museum of Contemporary Art
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