I was eager to watch Factory Girl, a film about Edie Sedgwick (one of Andy Warhol's so-called "superstars") last night and learn more about Andy Warhol, his artistic inspiration and perhaps direct a little of that inspiration to something in my own life. On the contrary, I was left rather melancholy and disillusioned by the following portrayals in the film (which may or may not be historically accurate):
1. Warhol as an apathetic businessman who exploits anyone and everyone for his art
2. Sedgwick as nothing more than young and beautiful (not inspiring at all!)
3. The lack of passion or creative zeal in Warhol's film-making process
The film's coldness was disconcerting because I had never envisioned Warhol or his art with anything but admiration. Regardless of whether or not you like pop art, Warhol was a creative thinker who defied the norms of what is considered art and created a movement which, I feel, forced Americans to see mass consumerism and the direction of American culture from an outsider's perspective. I find that amazing - even if I'll never enjoy looking at one of his Campbell Soup artworks.
