Memories, laughter, and emotions are wordlessly captured in the exhibition 15 Minutes: Homage to Andy Warhol, currently on view in Case Library and Geyer Center for Information Technology. Each small, square print in the collection is a snapshot of history. One is a photograph of him and Bob Dylan admiring Warhol’s famous Elvis painting. In another, Warhol is coyly kissing John Lennon on the cheek at a party. A silk-screen print features a play on Warhol’s Brillo boxes; this is the work of audio producer and artist Jeff Gordon, who put the collection together.
Accompanied by abstract painter Path Soong, Gordon came to Colgate last week to introduce his exhibition of 17 prints that are visual representations of recorded MP3 audio tracks. Famous singers, poets, and artists — including Dylan, Ultra Violet, Patti Smith, and Billy Name — recorded their memories, songs, and poems to profess their veneration for their late friend.
Audio producer and artist Jeff Gordon discusses his exhibition about Andy Warhol that is on view at Case Library until May 20. (Photo by Janna Minehart '13)
The contributors then created individual “album covers” to complement their MP3s. In order to get the full experience of the exhibition, visitors can borrow an MP3 player at the Learning Commons Desk to listen to the tracks while viewing the corresponding prints.
Several art students and art history classes have visited the exhibition as part of their learning outside of the classroom. Upon hearing about Gordon’s personal connection to Warhol and his work with the icons who contributed to the project, one art student commented that, “It’s really cool to be able to hear a person who was so close to someone as famous as Andy Warhol speak to us. It’s like listening to history.”
Joanne Schneider, university librarian and organizer of the event, said, “Any visitor seeing the exhibition or listening to the audio can get a sense of the excitement and creativity of the time when Warhol was alive and creating his masterpieces.”
Reflecting on his multilayered career as an audio producer, artist, and innovator, Gordon said: “I blur lines and destroy borders in my work.”
The exhibition will be on view on the fifth floor of Case Library until May 20 before it travels to New York City, Turkey, China, and other locations worldwide.