On Monday I went to Salford Quays to go and visit the exhibition at the Lowry gallery called Warhol and the Diva.
Andy Warhol’s life followed the glamour and lifestyles of some of the world’s elite, he loved it and his admiration for these people showed through.
Today, Diva is used far more readily within the spheres of popular culture to describe almost any powerful, tempestuous and often egotistical female- or sometimes male- performer, and Warhol lived and breathed this existence.
Hollywood and the American dream were huge influences on the artist’s work and by exaggerating and recreating multiple images of the people he admired; he made them iconic.
This exhibit is a look at the artist himself, he underwent transformations in front of the camera in a project by his friend Christopher Makos.
In these photographs, we see him sporting a selection of wigs and dramatic make-up, within a selection of Polaroid photographs and large scale prints.
He has an obsession with the Diva not only seen in the works of art he produced, but it also in his own identity and persona.
Just like the people ( Divas) he admired, I guess?.
He wanted to be a superstar in front of the camera!!! and he was.
We see this transformation in the film and we see the make-up artists create Warhol into a superstar!!
As soon as the false eyelashes were on, he transformed his presence the way he held himself you could tell he felt beautiful!!
Plumping of his lips in scarlet read, the way he moved and expressed with his hands was quite something and I have to say at times he was quite pretty and attractive and others he was like Angie and David Bowie’s unholy star child!!!
Scary shit!!!
As well as the videos you get to see some of his most famous portraits and photographs all set up as a swingin’ pad… with lush surroundings and animal print beanbag cinema to boot.
If you are in or around Manchester at some point, it is worth checking out, it’s here till the 25th Sept and admission is by donation only.
Or if it comes to your town, be sure to check it out!
"When I think back on all the beauties we knew, I realize there was something special about the way they all held their heads and moved their arms."
"When I think back on all the beauties we knew, I realize there was something special about the way they all held their heads and moved their arms."
Andy Warhol
(Images from Waholstars.com, bodyofart.com, Joancollinarchive.blogspot)
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