First Impressions:

       This book was well put together; Andy Warhol’s life was so complex and convoluted that it’s hard to separate reality from the variety of colorful lies. The information was presented in a cogent way, and I felt like I was living vicariously through the lives of the glamorous “Factory” entourage of Warhol. It was simply exciting to devour this book. The descriptions of glitzy New York City and of the superficial art created by Warhol throughout his life were captivating and enchanting, despite the shallow subjects. The images chosen by Isabel Kuhl were bright, engaging, and at times, strange. I was not confused at any point in the book, and the author presented Warhol’s legacy and life in an upbeat way, rather than in a morose, dark fashion. Although Andy’s fascination with death was disturbing, his images of dollar signs, Marilyn Monroe, and mundane Campbell Soup Cans negate that pessimistic view. Some of the images in the book were…interesting to say the least, and I recommend this book for ages 15 and up.

Sentence that Summarizes the Book:

       Andy Warhol was superficial and shallow on the surface, but he had a much more complex and undecipherable personality; he wanted people to perceive him as a mirror image of his art, but that simply wasn’t the case.

Important Events and Quick Summary:

       Did anyone else know that Andy Warhol’s real name was Andrew Warhola (a Slovakian name)? Neither did I, but interestingly, this book did not begin by listing the dull facts of Warhol’s place and date of birth. Rather, the book fast-forwarded to New York City, the place of unrealized dreams and plate-glass buildings, in the 1950s. It was in this fast-paced and increasingly unconventional setting that Warhol created some of his most provocative art. From describing the Beat Generation to the changes in architecture after WWII, this book delved right into the seedy life of the Factory, the place where Warhol and his followers convened/partied. The book next talked about the early success of Warhol as a commercial artist and his first gallery appearance (the Hugo Gallery in 1952). From there, his artistic career was meteoric, and he had works (i.e. the Brillo Boxes and Flowers) exhibited in the Leo Castelli Gallery and the Musee d’Art Moderne in Paris. His love for film and photography was also covered extensively; Warhol is famous for his longwinded and often sexual films/photographs of himself and his elitist friends. Because he was obsessed with fame and stardom, Warhol often had celebrities featured in his films (i.e. Jane Holzer); he believed they were beautiful whereas he was obviously not. He was commissioned by movie stars to complete the typical “Warhol” portrait, which was usually a silkscreen image with garish colors and broad outlines. The turning point in Warhol’s life and this book was when he was shot by Valeria Solanas, a radical feminist, in 1968. From there, his art turned cold, morbid, and chilling (i.e. his skulls and electric chair series). The book finished by exploring the seedy lives of the Factory phantoms and the enduring artistic legacy of Warhol (i.e. his 15 minutes of fame).

Overall Message:

       The life of Andy Warhol was so unrealistic and unreachable to the everyday American of the 1960s and 70s. His world, that of glamorous stars, New York City shindigs, and vitality tinged with death, was unbelievable and not experienced by many. Besides his film legacy, Warhol broke the boundaries in art and really defined the adage “it’s art because I say it’s art.” Although his works were more “artistic” in the conventional sense than a work by Duchamp, his canvases were still unorthodox, mass produced, and commercialized. Perhaps Warhol was the genius in all of this; his art reflected the shallow American society that burst onto the scene after WWII.

Verdict:

       This book was an easy read and more than just the perfect coffee table adornment. The author tore apart the world of Warhol and constructed it again in a way that was relatable and digestible to everyday Americans. The color images were fantastic (although some were profane), and the “quotes” pages were always an interesting read. Out of 10, I would rate this book an 8.

Other Book by Isabel Kuhl?

       She has written 50 Buildings You Should Know, Impressionism: A Celebration of Light , and many others found here. She lives in Cologne, Germany, although I was not able to find a website, twitter, or email address.