What's the deal with Andy Warhol?

Question

He was quoted for being a superficial person. He whenever asked what his work was about, responded with " I don't know". He pretty much left the judgment for his work up to the audience rather than to explain what it was about. So what do you think it's about? Is he in some way, against all his statements, actually protesting consumerism, with the soup cans and Brillo boxes, or, are they just as superficial as he said?

Answer 1

His work is literally about "What you see is what you get." Critics have made it also about mass-production but that was his way of producing, not his way of commenting on it.

He wasn't an artist because he said he was but because people said he was. Art can be very weird like that......and I'm talking about the art world not Warhol who was amazed by how that world worked.

His art was in a way, being an artist without making art. All his work is just the (a) product. It is almost impossible to grasp but is a sense his work is meaningless without knowledge of the man that made it. That did not make the man superficial but it does make 'a single work by Warhol' superficial. Maybe that is his theme; Art is Superficial. To late to ask him about that.

Still looks great on a wall though.

Answer 2

Campbell's Tomato Soup(attention to detail) Jimi Hendrix (reproduction of an image) the Empire State Building ( how long can you hold a Blank Stare and make your audience do likewise?)

Answer 3

Personally, I think his works were just what he said they were.....soup cans and Brillo pads, Its kind of hard to find deeper meaning in soup...I love his work though, and the museum is awesome, I love it...if anyone ever gets the chance go see it!

Answer 4

His picture of a Campbell Soup can was a satire of art, like Campbell's Soup is a satire of food.