At PALP Palazzo Pretorio in Pontedera – from November 10, 2021, to June 26, 2022 – over 140 works by Andy Warhol tell the story of the most provocative interpreter of mass society, a colorful witness to the icons of his time: Andy Warhol. ICONS!
Andrew Warhol – a multifaceted artist, one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, a keen narrator of mass society, and a striking sociologist of 1960s America – was able to transform the fetishes of the American collective imagination into art, foreseeing the rise of mass media power.
Andy Warhol, a photographer, filmmaker, designer, and illustrator, is the father of Pop Art, which turned Coca-Cola, Elvis Presley, Campbell’s Soup, Liz Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe, the dollar bill, and Jackie Kennedy into icons.
The exhibition, featuring 141 works, showcases his entire professional journey, presenting masterpieces from each period: starting with the vibrant Liz (1964) and arriving at the timeless Marilyn (1985-1988). Also on display are three stunning Cow (1966-1976), alongside other major icons: Brillo Box (1970), Flowers (1970), Electric Chair (1971), and, of course, the legendary Campbell’s Soup (1968).
Organized into five sections, the exhibition explores and narrates the different aspects of Andy Warhol’s career. The exhibition path allows visitors to discover the life of this extraordinary figure, from his early works to those from the late 1980s. Andy Warhol. ICONS! tells the incredible story of a man, a character, and an artist who reshaped the world of art, as well as music, cinema, and fashion, radically redefining previous aesthetic standards.
Under the patronage of the Tuscany Region, the exhibition is realized by the Municipality of Pontedera, PALP Palazzo Pretorio, and the Fondazione per la Cultura Pontedera. It is produced and organized by Piuma, in collaboration with Art Motors, and curated by Nicolas Ballario and Edoardo Falcioni. The exhibition is sponsored by Knauf and partnered with Ecofor.
Andy Warhol. ICONS! has been chosen this year to enhance the Natale ad Arte – Pontedera 2021 cultural and urban art project, promoted by the Fondazione per la Cultura Pontedera in collaboration with the Municipality of Pontedera and directed by Alberto Bartalini. The goal is to revive the Arte per non Dormire initiative, setting up a high-quality artistic experience in the streets and squares of Pontedera for residents and visitors alike. For this edition, the undisputed icon Andy Warhol has been chosen to further enrich the already remarkable artistic offerings of Natale ad Arte – Pontedera 2021.
The Natale ad Arte – Pontedera 2021 project is supported by Ecofor Service, Federighi Barbara, Intergomma, Crastan, Alilaser, Lemass Holding, DLG MOVE, Revet, Blu Palace, Aura Petroli, Dama Retail, 4F Group, Valdera Gestioni, CA.PA.TER, Casa di Cura Privata San Rossore, Blanc Mariclò, Manutencoop Società Cooperativa, Officina OM di Bernardini e Balducci, Palumbo Auto, Giustiauto Srl, Lenergy, Locatelli Saline di Volterra, Sale di Volterra, Agenzia Immobiliare Belfiore, Gruppo Lupi, La Pecora di Massimiliano, H.T.A., Costruzioni Novicrom.
The Mayor of Pontedera, Matteo Franconi, enthusiastically states:
“After the success of the “I Love Lego” exhibition, the Palazzo Pretorio exhibition center joins the collective cultural project “Natale ad Arte”, bringing to Pontedera the works, symbols, and creative expressions of Andy Warhol—an artist who stripped away the concept of uniqueness and authenticity from art, forever revolutionizing the expressive modes of his time. With this new exhibition, we aim to further enrich the cultural offerings of our city, hoping that Warhol’s immortal icons will inspire us to build a future that matches the dreams we envision for ourselves.”
