Newswise — Even Warhol himself would never have predicted that a private collection of his works would have its world premiere in the small town of Brattleboro, Vermont (pop. 13,000). But, as the "Pope of Pop" predicted, in the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes. And so it will be for the town of Brattleboro.
This September 11, "Andy Warhol: Intimate Unseen" will premiere at an opening reception at the Brattleboro Museum of Art, followed by a Studio 54 Disco party at the River Garden on Main Street. The exhibit will then officially open on September 18 and continue through through February 6 at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center.
"Andy Warhol is without question the most famous and influential American artist ever," says the exhibit's curator, Mara Williams. "This collection reveals a highly personal side of Warhol and provides a fascinating glimpse into his private life," she says.
The collection belonged to Warhol's companion and favorite obsession in the 1980s, Jon Gould, a Paramount Pictures Vice President who died of AIDS in 1986. During their relationship, Gould amassed a collection of more than 60 paintings and prints as well as hundreds of black-and-white photographs taken by Warhol.
For almost two decades the collection has been in storage at The Fortress, a guarded fine-arts storage facility outside of Boston. There, Williams unwrapped such well-known Warhols as the Endangered Species and The Myth series (Superman, Mickey Mouse, and Howdy Doody), Chairman Mao, and a Campbell's soup can, the exhibit includes such previously unseen and unexpected works as a collaboration with graffiti-art king Jean-Michel Basquiat and some surprisingly delicate water-color paintings. (On the back of many of the works are the words "Jon -- love, Andy" in Warhol's handwriting.)
The photographs Warhol gave to Gould are the most revealing aspect of the collection in terms of Warhol's personal life, says Williams. Among them are snapshots from vacations they spent together -- posed in parkas on the slopes and in pearls on the beach -- and shots taken among friends at Studio 54 and other places. (Some photos are creased because Andy folded them in order to send them to Jon in business-size envelopes.) Also on display will be photos of the celebrities (including Mick Jagger, Jane Fonda, and Nancy Reagan), which shed additional light on Warhol's world.
According to Brattleboro Museum & Art Center director Konstantin von Krusenstiern, the museum gained access to the collection through a former board member who was a friend of Gould and has stayed in touch with Jon's surviving twin brother, Jay. "Jay's willingness to share his brother's collection with us is truly a gift -- both to Brattleboro and to the entire art world," says von Krusenstiern.
"Andy Warhol: Intimate & Unseen" runs September 18, 2004 through February 6, 2005 at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center in Brattleboro, Vermont (located approximately 3 1/2 hrs. from NYC and 2 hrs. from Boston). Exhibit-related events include a Warhol film series, lectures about the artist and his work and readings by authors of past and soon-to-be-published books on Warhol.
Exhibit tickets: $8 adults; $7 seniors; $6 students; and museum members and age 6 and under free. Sept. 11: Exhibit Premiere (6:30-8:30 p.m.) & Studio 54 Disco Party (8:30-11:30 p.m.); Tickets: $54 for both; $15 for Studio 54 Disco Party only. Info. & tickets: 802-257-0124 or http://www.southernvermont.com.
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Andy Warhol: Intimate & UnseenThe Brattleboro Museum & Art Center(located approximately 3 1/2 hrs. from NYC and 2 hrs. from Boston).Sept. 18, 2004 - Feb. 6, 2005Sept. 11: Exhibit Premiere & Studio 54 Disco Party
"Andy Warhol: Intimate & Unseen" debuts the private collection amassed by Paramount Pictures VP Jon Gould, a companion of Warhol's who died of AIDS in 1986. After nearly 20 years in storage, over 60 Warhol paintings and prints, plus scores of b & w photos premiere. Works range from the well-known Myth and Endangered Species series to such unseen and unexpected pieces as delicate watercolors and a painting Warhol created in collaboration with graffiti-art king Jean-Michel Basquiat. Studio 54-era photos shed light on the personal life of America's most famous artist. Exhibit-related events include a Warhol film series, lectures about the artist and his work by Jon Gould's twin brother and readings by authors of past and soon-to-be-published books on the "Pope of Pop." Exhibit tickets: $8 adults; $7 seniors; $6 students; and museum members and age 6 and under free. Sept. 11: Exhibit Premiere (6:30-8:30 p.m.) & Studio 54 Disco Party (8:30-11:30 p.m.); Tickets: $54 for both; $15 for Studio 54 Disco Party only. Info. & tickets: 802-257-0124 or http://www.southernvermont.com.
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