Big Shots

Andy Warhol, Celebrity Culture, and the 1980s

August 15 – January 24, 2010
North Balcony

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  Exhibition Description

  Big Shots highlights a recent gift from the Andy Warhol Foundation of rarely seen photographs by Warhol, dating from 1970 to 1986, presented within the context of the dynamic period of art and cultural production during which they were made.

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  Public Programs in Conjuction with the Exhibition

  The Spencer offers a wide range of engaging and educational programs for the community. These programs are all related to the Big Shots exhibition.

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  Big Shots in the News

  Media coverage of the exhibition.

Big Shots highlights a recent gift from the Andy Warhol Foundation of rarely seen photographs by Warhol, dating from 1970 to 1986, presented within the context of the dynamic period of art and cultural production during which they were made. The photographs include celebrity portraits shot as black-and-white prints or as unique color Polaroids using the eccentric Big Shot camera that Warhol made famous.

In light of Warhol’s near iconic status and his views on the topic of fame, the exhibition features artists and other celebrities in New York City during the late 1970s and early 1980s, looking at the interconnections between Warhol’s Factory, performance art, the underground music club scene, punk and new wave, and the cult of celebrity.

True to the spirit of this intermingling of different art forms and social interactions, the exhibition encompasses a variety of media. There are photographs, prints, posters, items of clothing, and great musical selections from the 1980s. The vintage photobooth allows visitors to shoot self-portraits and enjoy their own “15 minutes of fame.”

Artists in addition to Warhol include Diane Arbus, Robert Mapplethorpe, Laurie Anderson, Keith Haring, Martha Rosler, Larry Fink, and Bud Lee, among others. Celebrities and culture-producers portrayed include Mick Jagger, Patti Smith, William Burroughs, Joseph Kosuth, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Calvin Klein, Brooke Shields, Iris Love, Victor Hugo, Cherry Vanilla, Carmen d’Alessio, and punk rocker/New Waver David Yarritu, among others.

Susan Earle, curator of European and American art, organized the exhibition for the Spencer Museum of Art. All objects on view (except the photobooth) are from the Spencer Museum’s collection.

• Schedule a Tour

8.20

Hawk Week Film: I Shot Andy Warhol

7 PM / SMA Auditorium

Sponsored by the Spencer Student Advisory Board and shown in conjunction with the exhibition Big Shots: Andy Warhol, Celebrity Culture, and the 1980s / In 1968, radical feminist Valerie Solanas (Lili Taylor) shot pop-art icon Andy Warhol (Jared Harris) when he ignored the screenplay she wrote. This film traces Solanas's life up to that moment, from childhood abuse to college prostitution to writing the male-bashing "SCUM Manifesto." Taylor won a Special Recognition Award at the Sundance Film Festival for her portrayal of a deranged woman seeking recognition / Part of KU’s Hawk Week / Presented as part of KU’ Hawk Week activities.

8.29

It Starts with Art!: Children's art appreciation classes for ages 5-14 Big Shots: Are you a Star?

10:30 AM & 1:30 PM /

Look at how Andy Warhol and his contemporaries used Polaroids to depict celebrities. Create your own 15 minutes of fame with collage materials. / Instructor: Emily Barr, KU design student / $ / To enroll, contact the SMA Education Department, 785.864.0137 or smakids@ku.edu, or visit the Spencer's website to enroll online. / In conjunction with the exhibition Big Shots: Andy Warhol, Celebrity Culture, and the 1980s

9.17

Reception: Fall @ the Spencer

5:30 PM / Central Court & Galleries

A celebration of the Museum’s fall exhibitions.

10.7

Lecture: Andy Warhol: Consumption x Production

5:30 PM / SMA Auditorium

Eric C. Shiner is the Milton Fine Curator of Art at The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. / In conjunction with the exhibition Big Shots: Andy Warhol, Celebrity Culture, and the 1980s

10.8

Special Event: Fall Student Night

6-8 PM / SMA Central Court & Galleries

Event sponsored by the SMA Student / Enjoy music, food, and art activities relating to the fall SMA exhibitions.

11.13

Town & Gown Forum: Andy Warhol, Celebrity Culture, and the 1980s

10-11:30 AM / North Balcony Gallery

Co-sponsored with KU’s Hall Center for the Humanities / Join KU faculty members for a series of gallery presentations about the Spencer’s exhibition Big Shots: Andy Warhol, Celebrity Culture, and the 1980s. / SMA Curator Susan Earle, moderator

August 18, 2009

• Spencer Museum of Art shows Big Shots - Andy Warhol, Celebrity Culture, and the 1980s

Joan Collins and Wayne Gretzky. Jean-Michel Basquiat and Liz Taylor. Chris Lawford and William S. Burroughs. What do these seemingly dissimilar individuals have to do with each other? The answer is simple: They were among the many celebrities ...

August 12, 2009

• With Warhol exhibit, Spencer Museum focuses on the 'Big Shots'

'A good picture is one that’s in focus and of a famous person doing something unfamous,' Andy Warhol once said.

August 14, 2009

• KU puts Warhol work on display

Most of us are familiar with the work of artist Andy Warhol -- and this Saturday, a KU gallery will present some of his most stylish works.

August 9, 2009

• Big shots: Spencer exhibit offers glimpse into Andy Warhol’s working process

Andy Warhol was many things: artist, pop culture icon, filmmaker, author, record producer, photographer. Thomas Sokolowski would add another title to that list. 'He was the consummate packrat,' ...

August 5, 2009

• Big Shots: Andy Warhol, Celebrity Culture, and the 1980s

Joan Collins and Wayne Gretzky. Jean-Michel Basquiat and Liz Taylor. Chris Lawford and William S. Burroughs. What do these seemingly dissimilar individuals have to do with each other? The answer is simple: They were ...