By Intern Natasia Gascon
Andy Warhol was many things to many people – artist, filmmaker, publisher and socialite. He is best known for his influence in the pop art movement in the United States.
Last Thursday, the Royal/T Café and Art Gallery in Culver City celebrated the opening of its new exhibit, The Warholian, in honor of the late visionary. The gallery celebrates Warhol’s artistic vision, bringing his most renowned pieces together with contemporary works by artists he inspired over the years. The exhibit also includes a pop-up shop featuring the designs of Lisa Perry. It is sponsored by the iconic plastic beauty, Barbie (Mattel, Inc.) and Dom Perignon champagne.
The Warholian began as a collaborative effort between Eric Shiner, curator of the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, and Susan Hancock, owner of Royal/T.
“When I was first asked to do this show, [Hancock] and I started looking for little common trends [in Warhol’s work] that somehow whispered or screamed,” said Shiner. “There is no overriding theme except the idea that everything here links to Warhol in one way or another.”
Shiner separated the art into four overarching categories, which epitomized Warhol’s works: Fame, wealth, repetition and death. The exhibit featured nine original pieces, including his famous Campbell’s Soup Cans and the iconic Black Marilyn.
“A lot of collectors here in Los Angeles were very generous to lend their own Warhol paintings and prints from their own private collections to be included in this show,” said Shiner.
It was Warhol’s portrait Barbie that inspired the Mattel Corporation to sponsor the event. Warhol famously quipped: “I love Los Angeles. I love Hollywood. They’re beautiful. Everybody’s plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic.”
“We’re so honored to actually have a Barbie that was done by Warhol,” said Stephanie Cota, senior vice president of marketing for the Barbie brand. “Barbie was always about fashion and culture. When Royal/ T said they were going to do The Warholian we knew we had to be part of this operation. Royal/T could not have been more inviting and receptive and excited for ideas and opportunities we had to offer.”
Julia Fitzroy, spokesperson for Dom Perignon, said it was fitting that they create a partnership with Royal/T to premiere a limited edition of collectible bottles that take inspiration from Warhol’s art. “It made perfect sense that we showcase our tribute to Warhol as well.”
Several contemporary and pop artists who took inspiration from Warhol were also featured at the exhibit, including Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince, Jeff Koons and Damien Hirts.
Shiner hoped that the juxtaposition of both the inspired pieces and the originals at The Warholian would give art-goers a new experience in viewing contemporary art.
“I believe very strongly that as curator of it I should not be pushing ideas and concepts down people’s throats – that that a person can walk in and look at a painting or a work on paper and have their own reaction and relationship to it,” said Shiner.
The Warholian is a free exhibit open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will run through Jan. 31, 2011 at the Royal/T Café 8910 Washington Blvd., Culver City. For more information, visit royal-t.org.
