The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From a to B and Back Again)

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Petra two roads to go down, both dead ends
Andy prefers apprentice dramatics to Oscar-winning performances: "I tin can only understand actually amateur performers or actually bad performers, because whatever they do never really comes off, then therefore it tin can't be phoney. Only I tin never understand really good, professional performers. Every professional performer I've ever seen ever does exactly the same thing at exactly the same moment in every bear witness they practise. They know when the audience is going to laugh and when it'southward going to get really interes Andy prefers amateur dramatics to Oscar-winning performances: "I can only sympathise really amateur performers or really bad performers, because whatsoever they practise never actually comes off, so therefore information technology can't be phoney. Merely I can never sympathise really good, professional performers. Every professional person performer I've always seen always does exactly the same thing at exactly the same moment in every testify they exercise. They know when the audition is going to laugh and when it's going to get really interested. What I like are things that are different every time. That's why I similar amateur performers and bad performers—you can never tell what they'll do side by side."

Coco Cola equality "What'southward great about this country is that America started the tradition where the richest consumers buy essentially the aforementioned things equally the poorest. You can be watching TV and encounter Coca-Cola, and y'all tin can know that the President drinks Coke, Liz Taylor drinks Coke, and just call up, you tin can potable Coke, besides. A Coke is a Coke and no amount of coin can become you a improve Coke than the one the bum on the corner is drinking. All the Cokes are the same and all the Cokes are good. Liz Taylor knows information technology, the President knows it, the bum knows it, and you know information technology."

On the unimportance of art "I really believe In empty spaces, although, equally an creative person, I make a lot of junk. Empty infinite is never-wasted space. Wasted space is any infinite that has fine art in it.

  An artist is somebody who produces things that people don't need to accept but that he—for some reason—thinks it would exist a good idea to give them. Business organization Art is a much better thing to be making than Fine art Fine art, because Fine art Fine art doesn't support the space it takes up, whereas Business Art does. (If Business concern Art doesn't support its ain space it goes out-of-business.)

  So on the one hand I actually believe in empty spaces, but on the other paw, considering I'yard however making some art, I'm still making junk for people to put in their spaces that I believe should exist empty: i.e., I'1000 helping people waste their space when what I actually want to exercise is help them empty their space. I become even further in not following my own philosophy, because I can't even empty my ain spaces. It's non that my philosophy is failing me, information technology's that I am failing my own philosophy. I breach what I preach more than I practice it.

By business art, Andy means The Manufacturing plant, where all items were produced for auction, it was a business organisation, no-one was starving in a garrett. He had started off as a graphic artist which is more concern art.

Lastly, Andy deliberately misunderstanding physics "People who tell you we're running out of things are just making the prices go up higher. How tin can we be running out of anything when in that location's e'er, if I'grand not mistaken, the aforementioned amount of matter in the Universe, with the exception of what goes into the black holes?"
_________________

Notes on reading The offset one-half of this book "is the philosophy of Andy Warhol, or something akin to it anyway. The second half is an almost crazy stream of consciousness outpouring from himself and his best boy B who is a telephone addict and needs to share everything. Both of them are OCD clean freaks. In that location is a peachy deal of ripping upwardly into bits and toilet-flushing in this half.

A couple of weeks ago I was in Florida, Longboat Key and in that location was an exhibition of Andy's Flowers at the Selby Botanic Gardens in Sarasota. Subsumed beneath the cool, the hype, and the business fine art, Andy was a wonderful draughtsman and a real artist, i who was actually skilful at branding too. He wasn't cool really, and merely as impressed with celebrities every bit the rest of us (he didn't mind being a bit of a freeloader off them though). For many years he didn't have drugs apart from hurting killers from the Valerie Solanus stabbing, and the unsuccessful operations that followed. He was a committed Catholic and went to church every day and was a good son and uncle. Non actually similar his publicity, but he had but himself to blame - or thank - for that.

His ending was sad. He ever said he would never get into hospital once again to have his wellness issues addressed, mostly caused by the stabbings and adhesions that had developed within from the multiple operations. He said he knew if he went in again, he would never come out alive. He was right.

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Eddie Watkins
Sep 24, 2010 rated it really liked information technology
Back when I was really serious nearly finding profound meaning in life, and idea for some reason that that meaning would somehow emanate from something outside myself, that the earth itself should be steeped in it, I hated everything Warhol stood for (as I perceived it) - shallowness, flippancy, etc. - considering of course I resented his apparent lack of involvement in finding the type of deep meaning that interested me; but at present that I've realized that any meaning that life might take resides only i Back when I was really serious about finding profound significant in life, and idea for some reason that that pregnant would somehow emanate from something outside myself, that the world itself should be steeped in it, I hated everything Warhol stood for (as I perceived it) - shallowness, flippancy, etc. - because of course I resented his apparent lack of involvement in finding the blazon of deep meaning that interested me; only now that I've realized that whatever meaning that life might have resides only in our individual breasts, and that the globe itself is rather empty, Warhol's shallowness seems profound to me. ...more
Stacy
Dec 24, 2007 rated it it was astonishing
i once wondered what the world would be similar if, instead of a bible in every hotel room bedside table, there were this volume. what kind of earth would that be, if every bored, lonely person in a hotel room anywhere in the world disinterestedly picked upwards this book and thumbed through it before sleep?

don't let what you remember you know well-nigh andy warhol keep you from reading this book. it is very funny, it is very cocky-witting, and it is searingly Expressionless ON in many, many places, peculiarly as regards

i in one case wondered what the world would be like if, instead of a bible in every hotel room bedside table, there were this volume. what kind of world would that be, if every bored, lone person in a hotel room anywhere in the world disinterestedly picked upward this book and thumbed through information technology earlier slumber?

don't permit what you think you know about andy warhol go on y'all from reading this book. it is very funny, information technology is very self-conscious, and it is searingly DEAD ON in many, many places, especially as regards art, practice, technology, and laying out a general synopsis of how one mindset of how art is/should be got transposed into an unabridged ethos... (i recall the chapters on dear and space are my favorites).

a laugh-out-loud moment is when andy warhol learns that picasso painted something similar 3000 paintings in his life. "that'due south nothing!" andy sneers. "i could do that in a month!" and so he sets out to undo picasso. he gets to the terminate of the month. not even shut. "wow. that's really a lot harder than i idea."

this volume is then good. but thinking about it makes me simultaneously giggle, feel sad, and remember, "so truthful, then true."

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James
Self indulgent and deadening nonsense.
Amber
Jul 13, 2008 rated it really liked information technology
I read a year later that Andy Warhol didn't even write this. Two staff members of his Interview mag did information technology based on things Andy said and the manner he was. But I loved and related to a lot of the ideas in the book or at least thought they were bright in their eccentricity. I really like the role about there are two kinds of people- people who are totally into having sexual activity and are but so into it and the people who can't e'er get into because they are and so caught upward in the idea of "I am having southward I read a year afterwards that Andy Warhol didn't even write this. Ii staff members of his Interview mag did information technology based on things Andy said and the manner he was. Only I loved and related to a lot of the ideas in the book or at least thought they were vivid in their eccentricity. I really like the part almost at that place are 2 kinds of people- people who are totally into having sex and are simply so into it and the people who tin can't ever get into because they are and so caught up in the idea of "I am having sexual practice". I recollect this is a pretty fair and correct assessment. And I'm not sure if it was in here or in Holy Terror (written by one of the ghost-authors of this) where he talks nigh using a new perfume every 6 months and and so discarding it so that scent reminds him of all of the things that happened in that period and whenever he smells it, the memories from that time will come back. I dearest information technology. ...more
Lee
Nov 07, 2019 rated it really liked it
"That forty-pound shopping bag full of rice that I bought in a panic is still sitting adjacent to my bed," I said.

"And then is mine, except information technology's eighty pounds and information technology'south driving me crazy considering the shopping bag doesn't lucifer the curtains."

--

"Some critic called me the Pettiness Himself and that didn't assist my sense of existence any. Then I realized that existence itself is cypher and I felt better. But I'm still obsessed with the idea of looking into the mirror and seeing no one, nothing."

"I'1000 obsessed

"That forty-pound shopping purse full of rice that I bought in a panic is still sitting next to my bed," I said.

"And then is mine, except it's 80 pounds and information technology's driving me crazy because the shopping bag doesn't match the curtains."

--

"Some critic called me the Nothingness Himself and that didn't help my sense of existence any. And then I realized that existence itself is nothing and I felt meliorate. But I'thousand yet obsessed with the idea of looking into the mirror and seeing no i, nothing."

"I'm obsessed," B said, "with the thought of looking into the mirror and saying 'I don't believe it. How tin I become the publicity I get? How tin can I be one of the most famous persons in the world? Just expect at me!'"

--

"Call up how embarrassed y'all were in the hospital when the nuns saw you without your wings? And you started to collect things again. The nuns got you interested in collecting stamps, like you did when y'all were a kid or something. They got yous interested in coins once more besides." "Just you haven't told me what happened." I wanted B to spell it out for me. If someone else talks almost information technology, I mind, I hear the words, and I think, maybe it's all true. "You were just lying at that place and Billy Name was standing over you and crying. And you kept saying to him not to brand you laugh because it really hurt."

"And . . .? And . . .?"

"You were in a room in the intensive care unit, getting all these cards and presents from everybody, including me, only yous wouldn't let me come up and visit yous because y'all thought I'd steal your pills. And you said you thought that coming and then close to death was actually similar coming so close to life, considering life is nothing."

"Yes, aye, but how did it happen?"

"The founder of the Society for Cutting Up Men wanted you to produce a script she'd written and y'all weren't interested and she just came up to your work studio one afternoon. There were a lot of people there and you were talking on the telephone. Yous didn't know her too well and she simply walked in off the lift and started shooting. Your mother was really upset. You thought she'd dice of it. Your brother was really fabulous, the one who'southward a priest. He came up to your room and showed yous how to do needlepoint. I'd taught him how in the lobby!"

Then that's how I was shot?

--

My apartment was on superlative of Shirley's Pin-Up Bar, where Mabel Mercer would come up to slum and sing "You're So Ambrosial," and the TV also put that in a whole new perspective. The building was a five-floor walk-up and originally I'd had the flat on the 5th floor. Then, when the 2d flooring became available, I took that, too, and so at present I had ii floors, but not two sequent ones. Later on I got my Tv, though, I stayed more and more in the TV floor.

In the years after I'd decided to exist a loner, I got more and more than popular and found myself with more and more friends. Professionally I was doing well. I had my own studio and a few people working for me, and an organisation evolved where they actually lived at my work studio. In those days, everything was loose, flexible. The people in the studio were at that place nighttime and day. Friends of friends. Maria Callas was e'er on the phonograph and at that place were lots of mirrors and a lot of tinfoil.

I had by and so made my Pop Art statement, so I had a lot of piece of work to practice, a lot of canvases to stretch. I worked from ten a.chiliad. to 10 p.m., ordinarily, going domicile to slumber and coming back in the morning, but when I would go in that location in the morning the same people I'd left there the night before were nonetheless there, nonetheless going strong, still with Maria and the mirrors. This is when I started realizing how insane people can exist. For example, one girl moved into the elevator and wouldn't get out for a calendar week until they refused to bring her any more Cokes. I didn't know what to brand of the whole scene. Since I was paying the rent for the studio, I guessed that this somehow was really my scene, but don't inquire me what information technology was all about, because I never could figure information technology out.

--

Mom always said non to worry near love, simply just to be sure to go married. Merely I always knew that I would never get married, considering I don't want any children, I don't desire them to have the same problems that I have. I don't call back anybody deserves it. I think a lot most the people who are supposed to not have whatever problems, who become married and live and die and it'due south all been wonderful. I don't know everyone like that. They always have some problem, even if it'due south only that the toilet doesn't flush. My ideal wife would take a lot of bacon, bring it all home, and have a TV station too.

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Rachel Eldred
Andy Warhol makes me laugh. I'm non certain that was his intention, but I e'er reach for his books when I need a quick pick-me-up. In fact, I turned to this book directly later on I'd read 'We Demand To Talk Most Kevin'. And sure enough, after a few pages I fell asleep and had the nearly blissful night'due south rest. (The last affair I read was talk almost semen every bit a rejuvenating facial cream!)

*

I've ever had an on/off relationship with 'The Philosophy of Andy Warhol'; non-committal. I'd option it up every at present a

Andy Warhol makes me laugh. I'grand non sure that was his intention, but I always attain for his books when I need a quick choice-me-up. In fact, I turned to this book straight after I'd read 'Nosotros Need To Talk About Kevin'. And sure plenty, after a few pages I fell asleep and had the most beatific night's rest. (The last thing I read was talk well-nigh semen equally a rejuvenating facial foam!)

*

I've always had an on/off human relationship with 'The Philosophy of Andy Warhol'; non-committal. I'd pick it upwards every now and once more for a laugh, simply never read it through. I ever dismissed it as a fleck light on, and not worth besides much of my attention.

But, for the sake of a Goodreads' review, I decided to read information technology through, and I'one thousand pleasantly surprised. 'Philosophy', of class, is used in its most frivolous context, to mean simply an approach to, or overview of, life. Though Warhol's thoughts are humorous ("Buying is much more American than thinking and I'm as American as they come up", "I judge that'south what wedlock boils downwardly to – your married woman buys your underwear for y'all"), he doesn't ponder any of the big questions in any cracking depth.

Rather, it'southward one man'south observations on life. And as an icon of the 20th century, it doesn't really matter what Warhol says; fame has given him a mouthpiece, and people listen.

That includes me, which is very unusual, since I have no time for the celebrity intrigue of the modern age, and if Warhol lived today, I would probably ignore him, too.

And, nonetheless, here I am, such a keen devotee of Warhol that I've read 'The Philosophy of Andy Warhol' correct the mode through.

He has advice for people who want to lose weight: " … attempt the Andy Warhol New York Urban center Diet: when I gild in a restaurant, I order everything that I don't want, so I have a lot to play around with while anybody else eats. Then, …, I insist that the waiter wrap the unabridged plate up like a to-go order, and later on we leave the eatery I discover a little corner outside in the street to leave the plate in, because at that place are then many people in New York who alive in the streets, with everything they own in shopping numberless."

And there, you've not put on an ounce of weight, and you lot've done a good human activity, to boot.

I love the commentary on the 1960s: "During the 60s a lot of people I knew seemed to think that underarm smell was attractive. They never seemed to exist wearing annihilation washable. Everything always had to exist dry-cleaned – the satins, the sewn-on mirrors, the velvets – the trouble was that it was never dry-cleaned. And and then information technology got worse when everybody was wearing suedes and leathers …"

I own a suede skirt!

If at that place's ane thing you can say about Warhol, information technology's he doesn't think too securely almost things: "I try to think what time is and all I tin can recall is … 'Time is time was." (What would Heidegger retrieve?)

Just, then, some things you don't need to call up also deeply about: "I thought that immature people had more problems than old people … And so I looked around and saw that everybody who looked immature had young problems and that everybody who looked old had onetime problems."

And that may be why I similar him so much. He is the antithesis of me. I retrieve also deeply about everything and would have tied myself in knots trying to write a book titled 'The Philosophy of Rachel Eldred'.

Warhol is quoted as having said: "Art is whatsoever you tin get away with."

Let's face information technology, he got away with a helluva lot!

For fans only.

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Steven Godin
Not an out and out memoir every bit such, but rather a collection of inner monologues and reflections on a variety of topics, equally well as sections where he spills the beans - or should that be Campbell's Soup - on moments from his ain life. Yous certainly don't go into it expecting any sort of emotional attachment; but hey, this is Warhol. The New York pop art scene has always interested me so there wasn't going to be much not to similar. Non an out and out memoir as such, merely rather a collection of inner monologues and reflections on a variety of topics, too equally sections where he spills the beans - or should that exist Campbell'south Soup - on moments from his own life. Yous certainly don't get into it expecting any sort of emotional zipper; but hey, this is Warhol. The New York pop art scene has always interested me so there wasn't going to be much not to like. ...more
Andy
Jan 29, 2014 rated information technology really liked it
The Philosophy of Andy Warhol is essential reading for Warhol fans because information technology's filled with Warhol's views on life, money, art, picture, mode and most importantly, himself. Portions of the volume are about as close every bit we're going to get to a full-blown autobiography, Warhol Diaries notwithstanding.

He goes back in time to when he was a kid in school and picked on for his bad peel and bad-mannered looks, which explains his cool detachment in general as a defense machinery. Also poignant are his recollect

The Philosophy of Andy Warhol is essential reading for Warhol fans considering information technology'due south filled with Warhol's views on life, money, art, pic, fashion and nigh chiefly, himself. Portions of the book are about as close as we're going to get to a full-blown autobiography, Warhol Diaries notwithstanding.

He goes back in time to when he was a kid in school and picked on for his bad skin and awkward looks, which explains his absurd detachment in general every bit a defense mechanism. Also poignant are his recollections of being a successful commercial artist.

For all the talk nigh Warhol beingness an enigma it'southward a 18-carat surprise to read Warhol'due south confession of existence a very shy, withdrawn person. His accounts of The Factory Years shows him beingness somewhat smothered past scores of nutty kids who spent more time there than he did. While he punched in from 10 am to 10 pm every day many "workers" moved in and wouldn't leave, according to him. I was besides tickled to read that stone & curl wasn't played there but Maria Callas records. Heh!

But if the book does have annihilation shocking upward its sleeve it'due south Warhol'due south candor in discussing his beingness shot, recalled several times during the book. "The worst, nigh cruel review of me that I ever read was the Time Magazine written report of me getting shot". "Right when I was being shot and always since, I knew that I was watching television set".

Unfortunately, ii-thirds into the book Warhol runs out of philosophical gems and simply transcribes several long-winded and tedious conversations that would tire out a speed freak, so he loses a star or two. Highly recommended for Warhol fans.

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Joey
Dec 17, 2012 rated it actually liked it
A quick, witty read that offers a glance into Warhol's head and world, as he would like the states to run across information technology. Really enjoyed information technology. A quick, witty read that offers a glance into Warhol's head and earth, as he would like us to see it. Actually enjoyed it. ...more
Anima
Jan 30, 2017 rated it it was amazing
Andy Warhol, a well known Pop creative person, advanced art in the market culture. He is the one who did the label for Campbell'southward Soup cans for which he used manus-painted canvases. And, he is the one who developed the silkscreen technique to reproduce a motion picture multiple times by adding slightly different features in each reproduction (In the 1962 series of paintings with Marilyn Monroe, he introduced the 'assembly line art'). Through the multiplication technique, Warhol presented the concept of 'celebrit Andy Warhol, a well known Pop artist, advanced art in the marketplace culture. He is the one who did the label for Campbell's Soup cans for which he used manus-painted canvases. And, he is the one who developed the silkscreen technique to reproduce a film multiple times by calculation slightly different features in each reproduction (In the 1962 series of paintings with Marilyn Monroe, he introduced the 'assembly line art'). Through the multiplication technique, Warhol presented the concept of 'celebrity status' as a product required by a large mass of consumers. His book,"The Philosophy", tells us a lilliputian bit more near the man who stretched art values in the quotidian life. I deeply enjoyed reading the commencement 4 chapters about beloved and beauty, and I had lots of fun reading the unabridged book.
"All the same, I became what y'all might call fascinated by certain people. Ane person in the 60s fascinated me more than anybody I had e'er known. And the fascination I experienced was probably very close to a certain kind of dearest."
" She had a poignantly vacant, vulnerable quality that made her a reflection of everybody's private fantasies. Taxi could be anything yous wanted her to be—a little girl, a woman, intelligent, impaired, rich, poor—anything. She was a wonderful, beautiful blank. The mystique to end all mystiques."
"Sex is more than heady on the screen and between the pages than between the sheets anyway. Let the kids read about information technology and look forward to it, and then right before they're going to get the reality, interruption the news to them that they've already had the most exciting office, that it'south behind them already."
"The symptom of love is when some of the chemicals inside yous go bad. Then there must be something in dear because your chemicals practise tell you something.
"When you're interested in somebody, and you think they might be interested in you, yous should point out all your beauty problems and defects right away, rather than have a chance they won't find them. Perhaps, say, you take a permanent beauty trouble yous can't alter, such every bit too-brusk legs. Just say information technology. "My legs, as you've probably noticed, are much as well brusk in proportion to the rest of my trunk."
"Jewelry doesn't make a person more beautiful, but information technology makes a person feel more beautiful. "
"There are three things that always look very beautiful to me: my aforementioned skilful pair of former shoes that don't hurt, my own bedroom, and U.S. Customs on the manner back dwelling house"
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いんたねっと
Sep 20, 2013 rated information technology information technology was amazing
1. I decided to read this book because I am interested in Andy Warhol and his influence upon the current world and the commercialist mindset. I recently watched a documentary on him and he seemed like a very interesting and possibly neurotic kind of person, and I really savor delving into the minds and ideas of people who live in an altered reality.

two. This book completes the "diary, biography or autobiography" category in wider reading. Although it is not strictly any of these things, it contain

i. I decided to read this book because I am interested in Andy Warhol and his influence upon the current world and the commercialist mindset. I recently watched a documentary on him and he seemed similar a very interesting and possibly neurotic kind of person, and I really bask delving into the minds and ideas of people who live in an altered reality.

two. This book completes the "diary, biography or autobiography" category in wider reading. Although information technology is non strictly any of these things, it contains biographical information and reports about things that take happened in his life. I enjoy reading this category considering I dearest to see the earth through the eyes of another, in particular people who are regarded as highly intelligent and innovative.

three. An idea I institute particularly interesting in this book was Warhol's thought of consumerism. He indulged in spending and buying things he did not particularly demand, merely to throw them away at the months stop. I plant this interesting because information technology direct conflicts with my beliefs that consumerism volition be the downfall of us all and is ruining the economy and greatly widening the gap between rich and poor. Warhol believes that because the rich and poor are both buying the same products, such every bit Coca Cola, it doesn't really brand a difference. Everyone is drinking the same coca cola, and no coca cola is better than whatever others, therefore anybody is coming closer together through consumerism. I plant this very interesting considering information technology puts a new spin on a topic I am interested in.

4. A quote I found interesting in this book was "Sometimes people let the aforementioned problem make them miserable for years when they could just say, 'And so what.'". This shows Warhol'due south idea of getting on with life and not letting small things bother you. I think that this is important to think because if you allow things that happened in the past get you down, you lot're going to forget to live your real life and have fun with what y'all're doing.

5. Something that I learned from this book is that consumerism is not always a bad thing, and can sometimes help the earth go more equal. I think this is of import considering otherwise you could notice yourself becoming more and more obsessive over stupid things, and it's more important just to get out there and live your life.

...more than
Jacobmartin
Aug 17, 2010 rated information technology it was amazing
This review has been hidden because information technology contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book scared the hell out of me and I'yard going to tell you why.

Andy Warhol predicted a hell of a lot that's happened in today's culture in this book, and even highlights some of the things gone terribly incorrect with his ain time. The final chapter hints at truths nosotros would not see again until the days of Chuck Palahniuk - and some of the dialogue in this book is almost word for discussion the kind of stuff Chuck would write for his characters to say.

This is Andy Warhol's philosophy - only it is as well pa

This volume scared the hell out of me and I'm going to tell you why.

Andy Warhol predicted a hell of a lot that's happened in today'southward civilization in this book, and fifty-fifty highlights some of the things gone terribly wrong with his own time. The final chapter hints at truths we would non run across again until the days of Chuck Palahniuk - and some of the dialogue in this volume is almost discussion for give-and-take the kind of stuff Chuck would write for his characters to say.

This is Andy Warhol's philosophy - but it is likewise partly his biography - detailing his mindset from A, the nickname he gives himself, to B, the person designated as "anyone who will heed". This is the work of a very asunder from normal social contact - since he got swept upwardly into the world of celebrities he probably didn't have many people he could trust - and people who barely knew him allegedly spat on him simply because he was Andy Warhol. Some even tried to kill him, twice.

If you lot want to become an thought of what the hell Lady Gaga ways, read this book. Information technology will explain Lady Gaga perfectly - because she isn't the first glamour conscious person who ever strutted her stuff, as this book shows. Even her fashion is a bit Warholian, if a chip more focused on the rich celebrity culture than being Andy, a son of poor immigrants who rose from obscurity to somebody who changed the face of fine art.

Read it from beginning to end, it'south non just a volume of quotes, it'southward a morally ambiguous guide to the American Nightmare. The book ends with these words, which I will paraphrase:

B: Because diamonds are forever...
A: Forever what?

Jarring and creepy as hell. You volition probably like information technology if you are used to stuffy art theory books, considering this is nothing similar a stuffy art theory volume. 5 Stars.

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Maureen
I was an early subscriber to Interview Magazine and as such, I was able to identify an advance order for a copy of this volume. When it arrived, I opened information technology and found that Andy Warhol had personally inscribed information technology to me, and had also done a quick sketch of a Campbell'southward soup can on the inside cover. Over the years, my oldest daughter has taken this book from my bookshelves many times, and I have always managed to steal it back. Included within its pages, not but volition you lot find Andy's famous description I was an early subscriber to Interview Magazine and as such, I was able to place an accelerate order for a copy of this volume. When it arrived, I opened information technology and found that Andy Warhol had personally inscribed it to me, and had also done a quick sketch of a Campbell's soup can on the inside cover. Over the years, my oldest daughter has taken this volume from my bookshelves many times, and I have always managed to steal information technology back. Included inside its pages, not but volition you observe Andy's famous description of fifteen minutes of fame, but too how to fold money similar a rich person, and why anybody should have a closet/storage unit/warehouse in New Jersey. If I had to brand a list of the books that I live my life by, this would definitely be in the peak ten. ...more
Kristina
November 23, 2015 rated information technology information technology was amazing
To be honest I thought I would hate this, dont know why, but did. Only omg I felt similar I just read someones entire tumblr first to terminate and I encarmine loved information technology!!!
Emily
Jan 25, 2013 rated it did not like it
Warhol's persona here is at times enjoyable, at times pithy, at times profound, at times absurd, at times concerned with triviality (underwear brands), etc. Warhol's superficiality and the moments when he simply records the "fizz" he surrounded himself with (a B talking on the telephone about how she cleans her house for pm an entire affiliate, for instance) can get a fiddling depressing/spiritually draining. When yous read a volume you expect certain things; don't look that here with Warhol. He subverts Warhol's persona here is at times enjoyable, at times pithy, at times profound, at times cool, at times concerned with triviality (underwear brands), etc. Warhol'south superficiality and the moments when he simply records the "fizz" he surrounded himself with (a B talking on the phone about how she cleans her business firm for pm an entire affiliate, for case) tin can become a fiddling depressing/spiritually draining. When you read a book yous await certain things; don't wait that here with Warhol. He subverts as usual. ...more
Sabin
Aug 13, 2017 rated it liked it
Ii phone conversations, one trip to Italy, one to Macy's section shop for some underwear, and a few short quips and aphorisms in which we are served a helping of the author's thoughts on honey, money, work, fame and, somehow, underwear. That's generally it. The persona that emerges from these pages is a very thick shell housing an introverted personality whose peculiar habits are borne out of the mode in which his artistic sensibility reacts to the outside world. Fascinating in retrospect, but m Two phone conversations, ane trip to Italy, one to Macy's department store for some underwear, and a few short quips and aphorisms in which nosotros are served a helping of the author's thoughts on love, money, piece of work, fame and, somehow, underwear. That's by and large it. The persona that emerges from these pages is a very thick shell housing an introverted personality whose peculiar habits are borne out of the way in which his artistic sensibility reacts to the outside globe. Fascinating in retrospect, but makes for a very dull read. ...more
Sharon
Mar 31, 2009 rated it information technology was ok
When I was going through my arty phase, I loved this volume! Now, that some time has passed I can't stand up it. Warhol's ideas about money and what'due south American are still entertaining and autonomously of me, simply the book has a lot of deadening (and lengthy) passages about Zip. At that place were parts that I would not accept been reading (for case, the detailed cleaning routine of ane of Andy's friends) if they weren't by Warhol. When I was going through my arty stage, I loved this book! Now, that some fourth dimension has passed I can't stand it. Warhol'southward ideas about money and what's American are still entertaining and autonomously of me, but the book has a lot of deadening (and lengthy) passages nearly NOTHING. There were parts that I would not have been reading (for example, the detailed cleaning routine of i of Andy's friends) if they weren't by Warhol. ...more than
Corinna
Jan 22, 2012 rated it liked it
This book went from midly interesting to tedious at times. The last ii chapters are a yawn. I don't know whether to believe whatsoever of it, especially the constant bluster of wanting to be alone about of the time. I do wish he was live to live in the 21st century, he would take loved all the digital fine art that is being made today. And it would take been interesting to come across what he would have produced. This volume went from midly interesting to boring at times. The final 2 chapters are a yawn. I don't know whether to believe any of it, peculiarly the abiding rant of wanting to be lonely almost of the time. I do wish he was alive to alive in the 21st century, he would accept loved all the digital art that is being made today. And it would take been interesting to see what he would have produced. ...more than
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The Philosophy of Andy Warhol, then, presents the disquisitional reader with a portrait of the artist as a shallow, egotistical, superficial, self-contradictory human being.

description

The Philosophy of Andy Warhol, then, presents the critical reader with a portrait of the artist as a shallow, egotistical, superficial, cocky-contradictory man.

description

...more
Mitchell
Silly and entertaining, but unfortunately my main takeaway is that Andy Warhol was a superficial ditz.
Frightful_elk
Disappointing. a few dainty lines.
Amy
Information technology'due south Andy Warhol, of form it's going to exist a good volume.
Give thanks y'all Beth for buying me this!
Information technology'due south Andy Warhol, of grade information technology'southward going to exist a practiced book.
Thank y'all Beth for ownership me this!
...more
Sissy
February 08, 2009 rated information technology information technology was amazing
This volume is (probably) my most favorite book of all time ever. There were at least three years of my life where every decision I made was influenced by this book. In fact, I wrote downwardly my favorite lines in a sketchbook and so that if I ever lost my copy of the volume (or loaned it to the wrong person), I could still detect the wisdom.
I can't say that this is a book for everyone, and reading reviews written by peers on this site take confirmed this. BUT I can say this is an incredible read for incredibl
This volume is (probably) my most favorite volume of all time e'er. In that location were at to the lowest degree three years of my life where every decision I fabricated was influenced by this book. In fact, I wrote downward my favorite lines in a sketchbook then that if I ever lost my re-create of the book (or loaned information technology to the wrong person), I could yet find the wisdom.
I tin't say that this is a book for everyone, and reading reviews written past peers on this site accept confirmed this. Just I tin can say this is an incredible read for incredible people; Or incredible to read in the right circumstances.
...more
Cristina
Apr 13, 2012 rated it it was amazing
This is probably one of my favorite books, and 1 that I have given to friends equally gifts. What I like about the fashion its structured is that you can walk over to your tabular array or bookcase and pull it out and read a footling paragraph or short chapter and laugh at how stupid and profound Warhol tin be all at one time, and so only put it back where it was. I call back he structured it like ane of his movies Empire where people could walk in and out of the screening of 24 hours of the same matter and not miss ou This is probably 1 of my favorite books, and one that I accept given to friends equally gifts. What I like nearly the way its structured is that you can walk over to your table or bookcase and pull information technology out and read a picayune paragraph or short affiliate and laugh at how stupid and profound Warhol can be all at in one case, and so just put it back where it was. I recall he structured it similar one of his movies Empire where people could walk in and out of the screening of 24 hours of the same thing and not miss out on annihilation.

Brilliant!

...more
Ari Pepper
Oct 20, 2010 rated it it was astonishing
I loved this book! He presents a number of ideas that I'thousand going to ponder for the next few days. In the mean time here are some of my favorite quotes:

-"I never fall apart because I never fall together" - pg.81

-"Buying is much more American than thinking and I'm as American equally they come" - pg.229

-"People's fantasies are what give them problems. If you didn't have fantasies you wouldn't accept bug because you'd but take whatever was there." pg.55

I loved this volume! He presents a number of ideas that I'm going to ponder for the next few days. In the mean fourth dimension here are some of my favorite quotes:

-"I never fall apart because I never fall together" - pg.81

-"Buying is much more American than thinking and I'm as American equally they come up" - pg.229

-"People'due south fantasies are what give them problems. If yous didn't have fantasies you lot wouldn't have problems considering you'd but take whatever was at that place." pg.55

...more
Aglaya Chekalkina
I absolutely LOVED this volume, I usually don't go for autobiographies - but you accept to remember that this is Andy Warhol. I absolutely LOVED this book, I commonly don't get for autobiographies - but you have to remember that this is Andy Warhol. ...more
Jigar Brahmbhatt
The trouble I have with Andy Warhol is the aforementioned I have with David Lynch. I don't like all the movies of David Lynch, except the seductive Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive (in parts), but I beloved reading nigh them. I love to hear him talking virtually them, their genesis, and what they hateful (or don't mean). In equal measures, the superficial, almost farcical, totally meaningless fine art of Andy Warhol is a mystery to me. I cannot sympathize why anyone would pay a huge corporeality (in millions) for a painting( The problem I have with Andy Warhol is the aforementioned I have with David Lynch. I don't like all the movies of David Lynch, except the seductive Bluish Velvet and Mulholland Bulldoze (in parts), but I dearest reading about them. I dear to hear him talking about them, their genesis, and what they mean (or don't mean). In equal measures, the superficial, almost farcical, totally meaningless art of Andy Warhol is a mystery to me. I cannot understand why anyone would pay a huge amount (in millions) for a painting(if you are happy to call it that) featuring an advertising image of a can replicated in squares of 3x3! It is absurd to the point of enraging me. What kind of a impaired society allows making coin to exist and then ridiculously easy that all you take to do is merely take an existing image, procedure information technology, add hues of your liking, and sell it for millions?!

Warhol once made a six hour long moving-picture show showing a single shot of the Empire States edifice - you have to be mad to watch it till the finish, considering each frame of that flick provides the same data over and again. And that actually gives the states an insight into Warhol's art. Information technology is a manufactured art, an art for the age of mechanical reproduction - to use the terminology laid downwardly by Walter Kaufmann. The superficiality of Warhol represents that of the consumerist, celebrity-obsessed milieu. In that mode, it is a great statement against the multitude that has brought about a collective dumbing downwardly of culture. And it is no wonder that Andy Warhol was possible just in America. But the problem here is that Warhol'south art in itself is not fascinating or deeply intriguing (at least for me). What thrills me are the stories almost it, the intention backside information technology (if at all). Hither is a guy who predicted that everyone will be famous for xv minutes in the future, and so went about making information technology possible for his entourage of eccentric people (Warhol Superstars as they were called).

This book contains machine-biographical sketches, musings on art, dearest, fame, time, sex, commercials, his relationship with associates, and on curious things like why he consumed only candies or any form of carbohydrate for that affair. I won't spoil the fun of reading this volume for the first time by recounting the best episodes here, but one of my favorites is this: Andy and his associate wait in the lobby of a posh hotel for Liz Taylor to announced and to kill time they engage in an absurd conversation about pilus-styles and the need for a hair-dresser in ane's life. It is agreeable to say the least and such episodes collectively present a curious and intelligent man-child at the center of the snobbish, cursory extravagance called the Andy Warhol phenomenon.

I looked upwardly an old interview of Andy on youtube and it went on something like this (couldn't locate the source):
Interviewer: why have you bothered to re-create an existing image? Why tin't you create something new?
Andy: Because it's easier to do.
Interviewer: Isn't information technology some sort of a joke you are playing on the public?
Andy: No. It gives me something to do.

Now take this: the president of US drinks coke, celebrities drink coke, you beverage coke also, and no corporeality of money tin buy you a improve coke. That's Andy Warhol'southward version of equality for you lot. Why tin't then a painting of coke exist called an art? And to extend this line of thought farther, why can't you then make art resemble everyday advertisements that are bombarded on us from all sides, mechanical to the point of existence a statement, and in doing so create a persona around information technology, and so that in the finish you become your own art? It is not untrue if you think about information technology that Andy Warhol'due south greatest art was Andy Warhol.

Yeah, information technology is the strangest way to be famous, but and so it gives you something to exercise.

...more
James Holloway
Warhol has betrayed himself.

Like his Monroe, or Mao or Campbell Soup Tin prints, Warhol's memoir strives to turn 'triviality' into an art-form - and he's succeeded. But unlike the same artworks, which focus on the endless cycle of product and reproduction - 'The Philosophy of Andy Warhol' is annihilation but repetitive. And though throughout Warhol goes to all ends to convince you of his nonchalance his work betrays him, because every single give-and-take, every single paragraph, and every sing

Warhol has betrayed himself.

Like his Monroe, or Mao or Campbell Soup Can prints, Warhol'south memoir strives to plow 'triviality' into an art-form - and he's succeeded. Simply unlike the same artworks, which focus on the endless bicycle of product and reproduction - 'The Philosophy of Andy Warhol' is anything but repetitive. And though throughout Warhol goes to all ends to convince you lot of his nonchalance his work betrays him, considering every single word, every unmarried paragraph, and every unmarried chapter feels entirely deliberate - and that is what makes the book then vivid.

With the beginning few chapters starting with tangentially related aphorisms on relatively mundane topics like his childhood, way, and food habits, Warhol's memoir initially runs the risk many other such writers (like de Botton, or Bryson) autumn prey to - that is, turning his memoir into an exhausting shopping list of faux-witticisms. But what is most surprising most this volume is that (unlike, say Soup Cans) is that it evolves. As a reader yous find yourself happily chugging along, quietly amused as Warhol leaps from 'arm pit smell' to Liz Taylor, when you realise that at some point 'The Philosophy of Andy Warhol' became a concerted prose narrative - and you're not sure at what point that was. As the book progresses, Warhol slowly applies his seemingly shallow musings to 'real life', until his memoir is no longer a text book but a novel - and a good ane at that. Warhol proves his philosophy isn't but for prove, that it is purposeful and in many means quite sensible.

Throughout the book, Warhol shares conversations he (A) has with various companions (his 'Bs') - but in the second concluding chapter, a 25 folio mostly uninterrupted block of brand name products and mind numbingly conceited cleaning routines, Warhol'south trip from A to B comes 'back again'; flipping the mirror on himself, exposing the past 200 pages of witty aphorisms equally the over-bloated nonsense it really is. His final message: it'south all and so fleeting, why take it so seriously?

And even so, while Andy Warhol might like you to think all life is frivolous, his Philosophy ends up proving to be anything but.

...more than
Dina
Jul 22, 2009 rated it liked it
I detect that I'k most often disappointed by books when I have expectations of them. Warhol is an artist first and foremost so maybe I should have expected that this 'autobiographical' piece of work wouldn't follow the standard prose format. Instead I found myself reading a Warhol quote book, quotes that the author found himself enamored with enough to publish under the heading of 'philosophy'. Warhol was certainly a brilliant guy, so it goes without saying that some of the quotes are quite smart and ones tha I find that I'm most often disappointed by books when I have expectations of them. Warhol is an artist offset and foremost so maybe I should have expected that this 'autobiographical' work wouldn't follow the standard prose format. Instead I found myself reading a Warhol quote book, quotes that the writer found himself enamored with enough to publish nether the heading of 'philosophy'. Warhol was certainly a bright guy, and so it goes without saying that some of the quotes are quite smart and ones that you can reverberate on when you lot find yourself sitting lone on a bus or brushing your teeth or some other such thing. Simply more frequently than not, they seem similar flippant remarks he may accept fabricated or one or another 'B' and said "That's good. Write that down."

This quoteable pamphlet is bookended on either side past anecdotes of Warhol hanging out with various 'B's in various locations doing mundane things with but enough glamorized flare as to be considered interesting... I approximate. Warhol and B hanging out in a hotel anteroom... but abroad and waiting for An Result, surrounded past celebrities and their hairdressers. Warhol and B going underwear shopping... pulling money out of a kicking and questioning sales associates on the differece between the Old Jockey'south and the New Jockey's. Y'all get the idea.

This book wasn't entirely bad. It was just a pain the ass to read every bit it leaves you with no reason to option information technology upward again later you lot've ready information technology downwards for the night. You lot know where Warhol is going from the become go and if you're looking for an insight as to what made the homo, I'd advise looking elsewhere. Here you lot'll just find the last production, in bite size form. Just hey, I judge peradventure that'southward the point.

...more
Andrew Warhola, improve known every bit Andy Warhol, was an American artist and a central effigy in the movement known as Pop fine art. After a successful career as a commercial illustrator, Warhol became famous worldwide for his work as a painter, an advanced filmmaker, a record producer, an author, and a public figure known for his membership in wildly diverse social circles that included bohemian street Andrew Warhola, better known every bit Andy Warhol, was an American creative person and a central effigy in the move known as Pop art. After a successful career as a commercial illustrator, Warhol became famous worldwide for his piece of work every bit a painter, an avant-garde filmmaker, a tape producer, an author, and a public figure known for his membership in wildly diverse social circles that included maverick street people, distinguished intellectuals, Hollywood celebrities, and wealthy aristocrats. A controversial figure during his lifetime (his work was often derided by critics as a hoax, or "put-on"), Warhol has been the subject of numerous retrospective exhibitions, books, feature and documentary films since his death in 1987. ...more

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