Organized and produced by Wu-Shan, Inc. (Jeff Gordon and Path Soong), this thought-provoking exhibition at the Ringling College of Art and Design features silkscreen prints and original recordings, ranging from spoken word to music and sound, created by a diverse roster of artists, writers and performers who knew, worked with, were associated with or were inspired by Andy Warhol. Included are Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Ivan Karp, Billy Name, Ultra Violet, Lawrence Weiner, Carter Ratcliff, John Giorno, Vincent Freemont, Alexander Heinrici, Brigid Berlin, Christopher Makos, Yura Adams, Nat Finkelstein, Connie Beckley, Susan Breen, Path Soong, and Jeff Gordon.
Gordon, who knew and admired Warhol, first conceptualized the idea of producing recordings (spoken word, sound pieces, music) by visual artists in the early ’80s, while he was the co-owner of the Greene Street Recording Studio. His first endeavor, Revolutions Per Minute (1982), packaged 20 of these recordings on a double LP, in a box with 20 visual prints by the 20 artists. The idea turned into a traveling exhibition, and the boxes were purchased by art world collectors, museums, galleries, and audio connoisseurs and serves as a precedent to the FIFTEEN MINUTES traveling exhibition and box set.
The exhibition juxtaposes each artist’s 12 x 12 inch (album sized) visual image with an audio work created in homage to Warhol. For instance, Patti Smith’s poem, “Edie,” muses on the life and death of Warhol Superstar Edie Sedgwick. Nat Finkelstein’s screen printed photograph shows Warhol and Dylan in the Factory with one of Warhol’s Elvis paintings in the background. In his song, “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” Dylan critiques the Warholian notion of fame and success. Gordon’s screen print modifies one of Warhol’s Brillo Box sculptures as a visual analogy to his sound piece, which loops excerpts from a Warhol interview and lasts for the proverbial 15 minutes. Sony Music Entertainment sponsored the worldwide tour.
The exhibition was organized and curated by Jeff Gordon and Path Soong.
Exhibition Tour Management by Landau Traveling Exhibitions. Los Angeles, CA.
