Why is this Art?
Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans
Andy Warhol, Campbell's Soup Cans, 1962, synthetic polymer paint on thirty-two canvases, each 20 x 16 inches or 50.8 x 40.6 cm (The Museum of Modern Art)Sal Khan and Steven Zucker discuss the alchemical process by which soup cans became fine art
Where and When
New York City
1962
1962
Your Comments (2)
Previous Comments
Ross wrote on Monday, November 12, 2012
Great video. The conversational feel is very engaging.
Satchel wrote on Saturday, March 02, 2013
Andy Warhol does a great job at capturing consumer culture through his depiction of the Campbell's soup cans. The way in which the images of the soup cans are depicted are reminiscent of factory lines or shelves in a grocery store which, relates to consumer culture and Capitalism. By changing the way we view the soup cans, by placing them in a gallery context versus a store or an advertisement, Warhol is almost placing value and power onto the objects. I find this interesting because, for me, this is suggesting that these objects hold power over the viewer – almost as if the idea of consumerism is greater than us. For me, these are like little portraits, painted with synthetic polymer paint, that represent our society, the cheap and mundane reproduction that drives consumerism and Capitalism.
Add Comments
We think Smarthistory works best when it prompts discussion. Please post (on-topic) comments.*
*All comments are moderated