Soups On! University Club’s
Photos by Dawn Steinberg After opening remarks by
University Club president
Shirley Wershba on June
29, members were treated to a special
presentation on Andy Warhol
by Phyllis Teplitz. Teplitz holds a
degree in art history from Hofstra
University. In addition, she’s also
an art dealer, North Shore Towers
resident and lectures extensively
on art.
The program spotlighted the
philosophy of Andy Warhol and
his views on art, life, sex, death
and culture. Among his memorable
quotes are “Sex is more exciting on
the screen and on the pages than
between the sheets,” “A whole
day of life is like a whole day of
television” and “You know it’s art
when the check clears.” Perhaps
his most famous line was “In the
future, everyone will be famous for
15 minutes”
Often touted as the most famous
American artist, Warhol’s life was
traced by Teplitz from its humble
beginnings in a Polish enclave of
Evening with
Andy Warhol
Pittsburgh, where Warhol and his
mother were ardent church goers.
Showing talent at a young age, both
his parents encouraged his art. His
father provided him with a small
amount of money, enabling Warhol
to attend the Carnegie Art Institute.
His mother liked to sing and took
an avid interest in the young man’s
talent.
After leaving
home for New
York City at the
age of twenty,
Warhol wanted to
be taken seriously
as an artist. It
was the graphics
and commercial
world of art that
gave him his first
opportunity. He
illustrated shoes
for I. Miller,
learned silk
screening and was urged to “paint
things you like.” Collecting 32 cans
of Campbell soup, Warhol painted
his most famous portrait, defining
not only an aspect of American
society, but reflecting his own
childhood. During a time when his
mother was ill, his older brother
made the young Andy soup and
a sandwich every day. Art imitating
life?
Teplitz included a comprehensive
DVD in her presentation, which
chronicled Warhol’s progression
to fame and explored the dark
side of American culture through
Warhol’s eyes. His days at the
BY VICKI MAZEL
legendary Studio 54 gave him
entree to celebrities and drugs.
Blurring lines between reality and
fantasy, Warhol turned the art world
upside down with his use of color,
iconic images and commercialism.
He was commissioned to do society
portraits for $25,000 each, a sum
a young Warhol would never have
dreamed of.
Teplitz cited
that many of his
quotes reflect the
irreverence which
made him the
iconic figure who
inflamed many,
but also made him
the touchstone of
his era. He has
said, “I’m not
afraid to die, but
I don’t want to be
there when it happens.”
The most
controversial artist of his generation,
Warhol turned the art world
upside down. The young dreamer
never wanted to play ball, lived in
a world of flowers and butterflies,
and brought his vison to the world.
Teplitz’s presentation provided
University Club members with an
evening of scholarly perception
and insight into “Raggedy Andy,”
brilliant draftsman, abstract, commercial
and fine artist, who used
soup cans as a turning point for
modern art.
Andy Warhol’s 15 minutes of
fame has lasted more than 80 years
and still going strong!
Club President Shirley Wershba
kicks off the evening Vicki Mazel and Speaker Phyllis Teplitz
Marilyn Monroe by Warhol
Warhol in front of his famous soup cans
Shoe business
20 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ August 2017