Warhol in Madrid
Until May 6th, Madrid’s CaixaForum is holding the world’s most renowned pop art exhibition. The exhibition called ‘Mechanical Art’ includes more than 350 artworks from the American father of pop art, Andy Warhol.
Ranging from his most iconic pieces like the Campbell’s soup cans to the Marylin Monroe portraits, the exhibition holds Warhol’s journey throughout his career as a graphic designer and advertising artist. Having worked for prestigious magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, the artist revolutionised artistic standards during the 1960’s.
Being one of the most esteemed artists of all time, Warhol was the first artist to implement popular culture in art. Rather than following the norms of high art of the time, Warhol followed those of publicity and introduced images and objects of popular culture into the arts. Using screen printing (a technique which allows one to reproduce drawings/patterns unlimited times) as his main artistic method, the artist proved that art does not need to be unrepeatable in order to be great.
The distinct series of art pieces he created involved elements of mass culture; merchandized products such as the Campbell’s soup cans or the Coca-Cola bottles. His work displayed everyday products, used by everybody. Warhol successfully bridged the gap between the rich and the poor in the field of art. Taking the Coca-Cola bottles as an example makes this evident: everyone knows Coca-Cola. Everyone drinks Coca-Cola. You know it, I know it, and so does everyone.
Not only did the artist revolutionize and transform artistic standards, but his charm and irreplaceable character made him one of the most loved and admired artists of all time.
The most iconic pieces of Warhol’s artist journey will be exhibited in Madrid’s CaixaForum with a 4€ entry until May 6th. Do not miss the chance to visit it—whether it is to take a look at the most famous containers in history or the striking Marilyn Monroe portraits.