Vuitton’s big spring event: Warhol versus Basquiat!

Do Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat really need an introduction? The Pope of Pop and the bad boy of Street Art are topping the bill at the Vuitton Foundation with an extraordinary exhibition of works they produced together during their unexpected and intensely productive partnership (1984 -1985). It all started in October 1982 when gallery owner Bruno Bischofberger (who showed both artists’ work), decided to introduce Basquiat to Warhol, whose fame was declining as Basquiat and the new generation of artists he belonged to were gaining theirs. A totally unexpected and genuine friendship blossomed and they went on to produce 160 works together (encouraged by Bischofberger). 20 of these works were put on show in 1985 at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery. Although critics were rather sceptical at the time, presuming the artists were trying to mutually benefit from each other (Warhol’s fame / Basquiat’s youth), the modern-day impression is quite different given the artistic relationship they had interests art-lovers as much as the resulting works themselves. For example, there are two versions of the Arm and Hammer on show, the first reveals how Basquiat was initially quite shy regarding Warhol at the beginning of their venture, and Charlie Parker’s striped face in the second version shows how his rapid reaction quickly took hold.

Dos Cabezas puts portraits of both men side by side, reflecting their personality differences and the challenge this type of work mutually provokes even though both men drew inspiration from popular culture: although Warhol got painting again and Basquiat tried his hand at silk screening, their aesthetics remained completely different. Basquiat did not hesitate covering over some of Warhol’s repeated motifs and their successive interventions often created a vehement narration, such as the several metre-long African Masks. The exhibition retraces the partnership through their works and also takes the 1980s New York art scene into account, which included Francesco Clemente and budding street artists such as Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf, etc at the time. A fascinating exhibition in many respects which will very probably entice you to attend a session of Basquiat Soundtracks, put together by the Philharmonic orchestra celebrating the role music played in Basquiat’s art. He had a collection of over 3,000 records (jazz, soul, reggae, hip-hop as well as his own creations and musical productions). His imagination regarding sound illustrated his musical culture including his African American heritage and racial stakes as much as the rich modernity of his time. The many facets of New York art are as passionate as they are inexhaustible!