Andy Warhol and the can that sold the world

In the summer of 1962, Andy Warhol unveiled 32 Soup Cans in his first solo exhibition at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles—and sent the art world reeling. The responses ran from incredulity to outrage; the poet Taylor Mead described the exhibition as “a brilliant slap in the face to America.” The exhibition put Warhol on the map—and transformed American culture forever. Almost single-handedly, Warhol collapsed the centuries-old distinction between “high” and “low” culture, and created a new and radically modern aesthetic.In __Andy Warhol and the Can that Sold the World__, the dazzlingly versatile critic Gary Indiana tells the story of the genesis and impact of this iconic work of art. With energy, wit, and tremendous perspicacity, Indiana recovers the exhilaration and controversy of the Pop Art Revolution and the brilliant, tormented, and profoundly narcissistic figure at its vanguard. From The Publisher: In The Summer Of 1962, Andy Warhol Unveiled 32 Soup Cans In His First Solo Exhibition At The Ferus Gallery In Los Angeles-and Sent The Art World Reeling. The Responses Ran From Incredulity To Outrage; The Poet Taylor Mead Described The Exhibition As A Brilliant Slap In The Face To America. The Exhibition Put Warhol On The Map-and Transformed American Culture Forever. Almost Single-handedly, Warhol Collapsed The Centuries-old Distinction Between High And Low Culture, And Created A New And Radically Modern Aesthetic. In Andy Warhol And The Can That Sold The World, The Dazzlingly Versatile Critic Gary Indiana Tells The Story Of The Genesis And Impact Of This Iconic Work Of Art. With Energy, Wit, And Tremendous Perspicacity, Indiana Recovers The Exhilaration And Controversy Of The Pop Art Revolution And The Brilliant, Tormented, And Profoundly Narcissistic Figure At Its Vanguard. The Boy On The Hill -- Leap Of Fate -- Pop Art : Surf's Up! -- Inside Anarchy's Rising Tide -- Mass Production -- That One Painting -- Portrait Of The Image As Important Artist. Gary Indiana. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In the summer of 1962, Andy Warhol unveiled 32 Soup Cans in his first solo exhibition at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles -- and sent the art world reeling. The responses ran from incredulity to outrage; the poet Taylor Mead described the exhibition as'a brilliant slap in the face to America.'The exhibition put Warhol on the map -- and transformed American culture forever. Almost single-handedly, Warhol collapsed the centuries-old distinction between'high'and'low'culture, and created a new and radically modern aesthetic. In Andy Warhol and the Can that Sold the World, the dazzlingly versatile critic Gary Indiana tells the story of the genesis and impact of this iconic work of art. With energy, wit, and tremendous perspicacity, Indiana recovers the exhilaration and controversy of the Pop Art Revolution and the brilliant, tormented, and profoundly narcissistic figure at its vanguard. Content: Preface -- Part 1: Abjection And Epiphany -- 1: Boy on the hill -- 2: Leap of fate -- 3: Pop art: surf's up! -- Part 2: Figment -- 4: Inside anarchy's rising tide -- 5: Mass production -- 6: That one painting -- 7: Portrait of the image as "important" artist -- Acknowledgments -- Notes -- Index. CONTENTS 10 PREFACE 12 PART ONE: Abjection and Epiphany 18 1 20 2 36 3 78 PART TWO: Figment 94 4 96 5 116 6 138 7 164 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 174 NOTES 176 INDEX 180 A witty and opinionated biography of a momentous work of art--and its deeply troubled creator