Dan’s Papers September 9, 2011 danshamptons.com Page 51
& ART COMMENTARY by Marion W. Weiss
Andy Warhol’s “Fifteen Minutes” at Pollock-Krasner House
Making connections (or more precisely, the presence of symbiosis) is a complicated and mysterious phenomenon, applying most extraordinarily to the arts. The similarity between a painting and music is an obvious case in point. Painting and dance have also bonded in the works of artist Robert Rauschenberg and choreographer Trisha Brown. According to the artist himself, Fellini’s films have often influenced Eric Fischl’s endeavors. The current exhibit of sight and sound (poetry, spoken words and/or music) at the Pollock-Krasner House is another example. Produced by Jeff Gordon and Path Soong, the presentation features silkscreen prints and original recordings by well-known artists, performers and writers, like Patti Smith, Ultra Violet and Bob Dylan, who were inspired by Andy Warhol. While most participants are icons themselves, suggesting that the show might also be called “Icons on Icons,” the exhibit is labeled instead, “Fifteen Minutes,” as a tribute to Warhol’s famous 1968 expression that everyone experiences 15 minutes of fame. (“In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.”) If that’s the case, then we’re all equally renowned, influenced by Warhol and entitled to create a painting, too. Be that as it may, the exhibit’s works are more than sufficient. Yet many are hard to figure out; making connections between the artists and Warhol is difficult unless we are very familiar with the participants and their relationship with him. Thus, the central question seems to be this: “What do the prints tell us about Warhol through the eyes of those who know him? We can’t answer that in all cases. No matter. The pieces stand on their own, as they must. Smith’s print of Edie Sedgwick comes with a poem conjuring imagery, words that are painterly: “ermine hair;” “She was white on white;” “blond on blond.” Other interesting prints include Dylan’s slightly distorted self-portrait and Nat Finkelstein’s image of Warhol and Dylan standing in front of a
Work by Patti Smith
Elvis Presley photograph. Presley’s double image may suggest a similar “doppelganger” idea in the persons of Warhol and Dylan. Another print by Alexander Heinrici and Warhol standing side-byside may be a variation on the same theme. Regarding similar themes, Warhol’s legacy will also be celebrated in the film series, “Artists Make Movies,” also at the Pollock-Krasner House on Friday, September 9. Like the art exhibit, viewing of his Screen Tests shows a connection between both image and sound (the music is written by various composers). Well-known people are also the subjects of the film, like Dennis Hopper, Lou Reed (a Hampton
resident) and Nico. While the film portraits use one set and a still camera with no editing (a Warhol signature), there’s more going on than meets the eye. Hopper, for example, changes his demeanor as he experiences a sense of loneliness. Subtle alterations evoke fascination; the viewer gets sucked into the images, feeling an intense relationship with the performers. Again, it’s the connection that counts. Both “Fifteen Minutes” and Screen Tests will be on view at the Pollock-Krasner House (830 Fireplace Road, East Hampton, 631-324-4929). The art exhibit will be on view until October 29. Screen Tests will be shown (with a discussion) on Friday, September. 9, at 7 p.m.
ON SALE NOW! SEPTEMBER 16 - 18
SEPT 30 – OCT 2
OCTOBER 20 - 23
/ V iÌÃ\Ê ÝÊ"vwViÊUÊnää Ç{x ÎäääÊUÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊUÊ/ V iÌ >ÃÌiÀ°V
TM/©2011 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved. 53334 6/11
Work by Bob Dylan
Work by Ultra Violet
6384 6502
Join our NEW Favorite Friend community at sesamestreetlive.com!