Again not directly linked to PR but Warhol, it seems, with his understanding of the power and importance of image and celebrity, would have made a good publicist. Not surprising really from the man who said that everyone would be famous for 15 mins.
Amazing, iconic art aside, Warhols success came very much from understanding celebrity culture and its importance to society. He started by rebranding himself as an individual, the master of makeover, from Raggedy Andy, the scruffy geek, to the epitome of cool. He knew what he needed to change to get the fame he desired, creating a brand and a persona that would live on long after he was gone. Indeed one contributor commented that Warhols greatest piece of work was Andy Warhol. He understood how to create an icon.
His work too shows an understanding of what drove society at that time. The obsessions with life, celebrity and death that still drive magazine sales today. Warhol truly understood the importance of an image, its repetition and how subtle changes can make all the difference. He understood the media industry and how to play it for his own success.
It is questioned in the show whether his work is a comment on celebrity culture or a part of it. I personally think it is a wry, astute look at the present society, that has become a part of era that shines through today. Warhol changed the face of art, if he was still alive today and in the PR industry, I reckon he'd be giving the likes of Clifford and Borkowski a run for their money.
The show is currently up on BBC Iplayer and definitely worth checking out!
Perry
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