ANDY WARHOL/SUPERNOVA: Stars, Deaths, and Disasters, 1962-1964 [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Francesco Bonami (Editor), Douglas Fogle (Editor), David Moos (Editor), Andy Warhol (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2005

Description: In the age of mass media, American culture has displayed an unequaled fascination with both celebrities and disasters. Andy Warhol was one of the first artists to investigate these twin obsessions, beginning in the mid-1960s, as he shifted his practice from hand-painting to the mechanical photo silkscreen process. Andy Warhol/Supernova brings together more than 50 examples of the artist's early silkscreen work, juxtaposing his iconic serial images of Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley with his evocative and often disturbing appropriations of car crashes, electric chairs, and other "disasters," appropriated from photojournalism and made side by side. The combination provides a glimpse into a prevailing condition of American modernity--this dual fascination with fame and tragedy--that remains a key component of our national identity. Looking back at this body of masterworks, now some 40 years old, it becomes clear that if some things have changed, more have stayed the same.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Walker Art Center (November 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935640835
• ISBN-13: 978-0935640830
• Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 9.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #822,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Seminal Warhol, January 14, 2009

By 

Claude Reich (Florianopolis, Brazil and Paris, France) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: ANDY WARHOL/SUPERNOVA: Stars, Deaths, and Disasters, 1962-1964 (Hardcover)

The catalogue for an exhibition held 3 years ago at the Walker Arts Center in Minneapolis, this book is, to my knowledge, the most complete study of Warhol's most important bodies of works, all painted in the 1960's and revolving around the idea of celebrity and death (the Death and Disasters series, the Jackie Kennedy, Liz Tailor and Marilyn Monroe series). The text, sometimes arduous, sometimes exciting, is insightful and opens new fields of study on the famous pop artist. Above all, the reproductions are wonderful (which is seldom the case for a book on Warhol)and make this catalogue an indispensable addition to the Warhol literature.

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must' for any serious Warhol collection, July 24, 2006

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ANDY WARHOL/SUPERNOVA: Stars, Deaths, and Disasters, 1962-1964 (Hardcover)

SUPERNOVA: STARS, DEATHS, AND DISASTERS 1962-64 gathers Andy Warhol's works from a narrow period of time, with a focus on Warhol's paintings of disasters, crashes, and more. Essays by Warhol critics accompany this survey of his works in a range of media, providing a visual catalog of his artistic methods and influence and presenting holdings from the Walker Art Center, which began its relationship with Warhol in 1967. ANDY WARHOL/SUPERNOVA accompanies an exhibition but stands well on its own, packing in large-size black and white and color photos from Warhol's works and including the background commentary and criticism essential to understanding them. A 'must' for any serious Warhol collection.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warhol catalogue, March 13, 2006

By 

Marit Woltmann (Oslo, Norway) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: ANDY WARHOL/SUPERNOVA: Stars, Deaths, and Disasters, 1962-1964 (Hardcover)

Catalogue from Walker Art Center.

Arrived safely (after 2 weeks?) in a very good condition.