Capitalism, Commodification and Andy Warhol

Capitalism, Commodification, and Pop Art

Talking about capitalism, it’s a system which is economic, social and political. The system should trace further to 16~17 century from Europe. The system in which wealth and the means of producing wealth, are privately own. Through capitalism, the land, labour and capital are operated and trades under free market for the purpose of income by supply good, commodity. The opposite system of capitalism is socialism evern more communism. I am not concerned about the issue like which system is better between capitalism and socialism. In 20 century, the most symbolic country of capitalism is America. During the period of 1960, a capital society made every products as a target on making money. A mass consumer culture spreaded widely. The consumerism was gladly accepted as a basic value by the free world. Under the commodication circumstances, Andy Warhol’s extraordinary concepts and artistic repetitive method drew public attention to his unsual talent. He was a advertisement illustrator in the beginning. His first exhibition about the pictures of Campbell’s soup cans in Jul and Aug., 1962. A mixture of painting, silkscreen and a stamp process. Andy Warlhol’s art works reflected its social background, maybe that’s because he had ever studied sociology. Campbell’s soups, Coca Cola......which are common and very important to everyday life for everyone. Taiwan was under American protection and a member of the democracy at the time. And it naturally wa affected by American culture including POP trends. Coca Cola is a symbol of American dream during my childhood. I remember when I was sick I could get a bottle of Coca Cola for a special treatment from my mum. Now I can understand why I could have the coke, it’s a
kind of metal healing for a kid with sickness.

Later he continuously created a series artworks related to super stars, singer (Marilyn Monroe, Liz tayler , Elvis Presley…), and politician like Mao Zedong (a leader of People’s Republic of China). He earned the success of his reputation and wealth. He was called “ The POP of POP”.
During the time of 1960, Billy Apple (1935, Barrie Bates in Auckland, New Zealand) also a member of POP artists.
He collaborated with Andy Warhol and the other POP artists. His art life from POP period and from 1970 he involved into the conceptual art in N.Y. Billy changed his name from Barrie Bates into Billy Apple in 1962. I was impressed by his art work “SOLD”(The giving as an art political statement) in 1981.
The gallery poster showed “Art for Sale”. When people entered the gallery the wall were empty , there were not pictures at all, but sales-stickers. because the art all sold out. Only the sold stickers showed on the wall.
But they didn't look much likeThe biggest sales-ticket cost $3,000 and the prints, which after all were smaller and on paper and weren't unique items, cost only $300.

Is it a joke? A gallery where everyone supposed there are full of art works. Now There is no other content, no pictures except “SOLD” the statement in a gallery. "SOLD" makde it more obvious about the relationship between the gallery, the artist and the clients. “SOLD” reflected the issue about the money of art , the business of art.
Sometimes I feel very confused about the conceptual art and the artist’s controversial art method. Conceptual art can be seen as the artist’s philosophy presentation.

Ref: "Pop Art" by Klaus Honnef

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