Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans, a work of 32 canvases each measuring 20''x16'' and depicting a painting of a flavor of canned soup debuted on this day in the Ferus Gallery of Los Angeles. The individual paintings were made by a printmaking method - a semi-mechanized screen printing process, with a deliberately mundane aesthetic designed to generate controversy over the definition of art.
The initial gallery had the soups lined up in a single line, like you'd see at a grocery store. The audience didn't know what to make of the gallery. Critics bemoaned the reduction of art to an experience equivalent to that of going to the grocery store. While it wasn't a financial success for Warhol, his reputation grew, and his next exhibit would be that of his famous subject, Marilyn Monroe. You can see the soup cans at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Bring a can opener.
It’s Monday, July 9
Murray-Calloway County Hospital’s Health Express will make a stop at the Weaks Community Center in Murray tomorrow morning from 8 to 11. The Health Express provides free screenings, including blood pressure checks and lipid profiles. For more information about the screenings offered, call (270) 762-1348.
The Ice House Art Center in Mayfield offers a class on drawing animals this Thursday from 1 to 3. Students ages 9 to 12 can learn tips for drawing different kinds of animals. The cost is $10 for members or $20 for non-members. Materials will be provided. Register by calling (270) 247-6971.
Murray State’s MFA Reading Series continues tonight at 7:30 with a reading by poet Sarah Gorham. The reading will be held in the Clara Eagle Gallery, located on the 6th floor of the Doyle Fine Arts Building.
See details about community events at wkms.org. Thanks for listening.