Modern Art and Artists - Andy Warhol

Image via WikipediaBy Joy C. Harrison

Andy Warhol is synonymous with modern art. When most people think modern art, they think of some of Warhol's most famous works. He was not only instrumental in the field of pop art, he was a fixture in the art community and New York City nightlife. His friends, all interesting characters themselves helped him create some of the most surreal pieces of film in American history.

Andy Warhol, born Andrew Warhola, was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania to Ondrej and Julia Warhola, emigrants from Slovakia. As a child, Warhol developed chorea, a complication of scarlet fever that causes skin pigmentation blotchiness. His childhood was rough, having been abandoned by his mother and becoming an outcast at school. He found solace in movie stars and radio.

Warhol's talent was recognized after studying commercial art at what is now Carnegie Mellon University. He started his career as a magazine illustrator and advertising artist. He was later hired by RCA to design album covers and promo materials.

Warhol eventually showcased his work in several galleries in the early 1960s, becoming widely known for his pop art based on icons like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Elvis Presley, while also showcasing a variety of household objects such as his famous Campbell's Tomato Soup Cans, Brillo Boxes, and coke bottles. As his art began to grow in popularity, he began experimenting with silk-screening, films, and sculpture at "The Factory" (Warhol's studio on 47th Street in New York City).

Warhol was also known for coining the phrase "15 minutes of fame" stating that everyone gets their 15 minutes at some point in their life.

After passing away in the 1980s due to complications from routine gall bladder surgery, most of his estate was auctioned off by Sotheby's (which took 9 days to complete due to the number of items that Warhol owned), however his art continues to live on and inspire others.

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The Extinction of Pub Rock

Image via WikipediaBy Ashley A Purcell

Most people reading this article will undoubtedly know the bands AC/DC, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, The Living End and INXS, some of whom will be avid lovers of the music these bands are responsible for. However by the same token, most people reading this probably aren't aware of the fact that these bands all have one thing in common (other than being quintessentially Australian). Each one of the aforementioned bands is a product of Australian "Pub Rock."

For all those unfamiliar with the term, pub rock began in the 60's as the various state governments decided to reduce the amount of legal restriction relating to the sale of alcohol in pubs and other licensed venues. With this, pubs decided to put on live bands in an effort to impress locals, and so began the era of pub rock.

During this period, various pubs made a name for themselves attracting the best live music talent had to offer. In addition, due to the sheer number of pubs offering live music, bands could tour Australia cheaply, jumping from pub to pub enthralling crowds with their quintessential brand of Australian music. Although it is debatable, the prevailing belief is that pub rock was had the biggest influence on music of the period. Bands played in local pubs, which tended to be relatively small and thus, entry was cheap.

As a result, punters went there for the experience, and not to listen to "brand name" artists which typically is the case these days. The effect of this was that the bands that generated the biggest following were the best (and not the ones seen as "marketable" like the bands of today which are artificially elevated to cult status). It is largely for this reason that people can remember and still have a cult following for bands from the 60's, 70's and 80's yet largely can't remember bands from the 90's and now.

However with the advent of the "popstar" as well as an increasing love of Hip-Hop and Dance Music, pub rock gradually became phased out and replaced by the DJ. In addition to this, due to gentrification (which basically means suburbs getting more expensive) traditional pub rock venues had to close due to local government noise restrictions and a bunch of other reasons. Yet despite the unfortunate demise of pub rock, we are left with some of the most amazing bands and icons of Australian music, which still get a cheer when played by the DJ's of today, as if to salute their music predecessors.

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