Pollock and Warhol

Overview

Read, Andy Warhol, “Interview with Gene Swenson” in Art in Theory: 1900-2000, pg. 747-749 and Jackson Pollock, “Interview with William Wright” in Art in Theory: 1900-2000, pgs. 583-586.

1. How do Pollock and Warhol differ in these interviews regarding the role of the individual and individual expression in modern art?
2. What significance does each artist vest in his subject matter? How do their opinions on subject matter differ? Do you see any similarities in the way Pollock and Warhol talk about subject?
3. In his interview while commenting on his use of silkscreen, Warhol makes the statement, “I think somebody should be able to do all of my paintings for me” (748), How does this contrast to Pollock’s statements about the “directness” of his process and the results?
4. Building on the last question, in your opinion, what should be the role of the artist in the physical creation of a work of art? Is a technique that reveals the careful skill and labor of the artist inherently more valuable than that which suppresses expression and is easily mimicked?
5. Both Warhol and Pollock comment on the progress of art in the 20th as being evolutionary in nature. Do you think the Pop movement and the ideas expressed by Warhol “evolved” from Abstract Expressionism? If so, how? Do you think Pollock would have appreciated the art being made by Warhol?

To receive full credit, your initial response must be 2-3 paragraphs or 200  words with two additional responses to two of your classmates consisting of 1-2 paragraphs or 50 words. For best results, compose your discussion posts in Word, use word count, spell check and grammar check, then copy and paste your response into the discussion board.

Comments such as “I like that” or “Yes, you are right” will not count unless expanded upon. Review the Discussion Grading Rubric located in References for a complete description of how discussions will be graded.