Marilyn Monroe’s captivating smile, 45 times over in a silkscreen painting, appears alongside portraits of Giorgio Armani, Aretha Franklin, Gianni Versace, and Sylvester Stallone – all immortalised in Andy Warhol’s iconic style. Accompanying these are Keith Haring’s vibrant illustrations, Robert Indiana’s celebrated LOVE iconography, and the pioneering works of nine other titans from the American Pop Art era. NMACC’s newest exhibition marks a series of tremendous firsts in India. ‘POP: FAME, LOVE, AND POWER’ is a landmark show, bringing together remarkable works from the most notable museums, artist estates, art foundations, and private art collections globally.
Curated by Lawrence Van Hagen, the exhibition captures the essence of the Pop Art movement in America (1960s-80s), which revolutionised the perception of ‘popular culture’ and elevated it to the realm of high art. Drawing inspiration from mass advertising, celebrity culture, and comic books, Pop Art transformed everyday visuals into profound artistic statements. “’POP: Fame, Love, and Power’ not only fulfils our mission to bring global art to India but does so with a vivid and imaginative flair,” says Isha Ambani. “The exhibit, with its interactive elements, is particularly exciting for the younger generation, fostering a creative culture that transcends traditional art boundaries.”
The exhibition is spread across three levels of NMACC’s Art House, each dedicated to exploring one of the themes: Fame, Love, and Power. The first floor, focused on Fame, features quintessential pieces reflecting the meteoric rise of celebrity culture in 1960s and 1970s America. Highlights include Warhol’s celebrity portraits and the iconic ‘45 Gold Marilyn’. Ed Ruscha’s ‘Level as a Level’ from his ‘Mountain’ series, inspired by Hollywood, is also a key piece on this floor.
The second floor delves into the theme of Love and showcases works by pioneers like Robert Indiana and Keith Haring. This floor includes a 6-feet love sculpture, juxtaposed against Tom Wesselmann’s intimate works and Roy Lichtenstein’s ‘Portrait of a Woman’ (1979), exploring the multifaceted nature of love, unity, and beauty.
The third floor examines the theme of Power. It features Warhol and Ruscha’s works that delved into branding and advertising, Rauschenberg’s fascination with television and media, and Elaine Sturtevant’s flower series challenging the power dynamics of appropriation. Notable pieces include Warhol’s ‘Sixteen Jackies’ (1964) and ‘Flowers’ (1964-65), as well as Rauschenberg’s ‘Periwinkle Shaft’ (1979).
Occupying the mezzanine level, Andy Warhol’s ‘Silver Clouds’ emerges as the pièce de résistance of ‘POP: FAME, LOVE, AND POWER’. Created in 1966, this immersive installation signifies a high point in Warhol’s artistic odyssey. The room, filled with metallic balloons that float due to a unique mix of air and helium, metamorphoses into a dynamic, interactive canvas. It’s a vivid reflection of Warhol’s flair for innovation and his penchant for pushing artistic boundaries. This iconic installation not only exemplifies Warhol’s collaborative spirit, seen in his partnership with engineer Billy Klüver, but also his creative ingenuity in material usage, such as Scotchpak, to craft an engaging art experience. More than just an art installation, ‘Silver Clouds’ stands as a beacon influencing various art forms (notably, Merce Cunningham’s ‘RainForest’). It holds its place as the most captivating highlight of the exhibition, inviting audiences into Warhol’s visionary art world.
