Photo by: Rachael Roark
Some call him one of the most important artists of our time. He was part of the hippie counterculture throughout the 60s and 70s, and now his work is on the DU campus.
Warhol in Colorado premiered Thursday night in the Myhren Gallery, featuring a one-of-a-kind Andy Warhol art exhibit, followed by a Warhol-inspired happening.
Included in this extensive collection are elaborate portraits, record covers, Campbell’s soup embodiments and Polaroid photographs of friends.
The Warhol Foundation gifted these 158 Warhol Polaroids and silver prints available for viewing.
Best known for his images from the world of commerce and media, Warhol’s use of various Campbell’s soup labels is one of the key images that stands out in this exhibit.
Six labels stretched out and laid alongside one another in a square shape inside a frame, all signed by Warhol, hang next to a similar dress. The cloth dress is comprised entirely of Campbell’s labels.
Several large portraits are displayed as well, with the subjects ranging from Mickey Mouse to Mick Jagger.
Five simultaneous Mick Jagger portraits in particular have a certain depth to them, with several visible layers of pastel paints and prints covering various features of Jagger’s face, such as his lips, eyes and hair, creating an abstract appearance.
One of Warhol’s most recognizable pieces is that of a banana. This image was originally the cover of the record album for the Velvet Underground, an underground rock band from New York City in the late 60s.
These album covers display a banana first with the peel, then without in a pastel pink. This album cover originally contained a zipper for opening the record, designed to “allow the owner to fully experience record covers and deconstruct what have previously been a flat surface.”
Many of the Polaroids on display depict friends in typical Warhol fashion, rather than people he met on the street.
Through these pictures he displays men and women in traditional gender roles, where the men are conducting business and smoking and women maintaining their sex appeal and appearing uninterested in business conduct.
Some of the people depicted in these photos include John Denver, Kikomo Powers and Mick Jagger.
One of such photos is titled “Mick Jagger Touching Tongues With Asian Woman.”
The Film Festival poster designed by Warhol in 1967 is also presented, which contradicted Warhol’s typical style of the time, highlighting portraits of celebrity figures, and incorporates bright psychedelic colors and flowers.
The happening Thursday evening including music, films, finger-foods, such as macaroni and cheese, tomato soup topped with grilled cheese squares and enough candy for a sufficient sugar high, along with a photo booth with hippie-style props.
The exhibit, located in the Shwayder Art Building at 2121 E. Asbury Ave, is open daily from noon-6 p.m., and will be available for viewing until March 13. Admission is free.
