Exploring the Text

1. What do the strips of images remind you of? What might Andy Warhol have wanted the viewer to see in them?

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 11 - Myths - Exploring the Text: What do the strips of images remind you of? What might Andy Warhol have wanted the viewer to see in them?
2. The images in this piece were printed in black, in a process called silkscreening, onto a silver-painted canvas. The images were still shots from movies, and Warhol and his assistants printed them in an almost mechanical repetition. As they worked, however, they varied the pressure in squeezing the ink, sometimes allowing the screen to become clogged. Thus, no two images of the characters are exactly the same. What statement does Warhol make about these pop culture icons with the variations in clarity? What patterns do you see? Why might he have used a silver background?

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 11 - Myths - Exploring the Text: The images in this piece were printed in black, in a process called silkscreening, onto a silver-painted canvas. The images were still shots from movies, and Warhol and his assistants printed them in an almost mechanical repetition. As they worked, however, they varied the pressure in squeezing the ink, sometimes allowing the screen to become clogged. Thus, no two images of the characters are exactly the same. What statement does Warhol make about these pop culture icons with the variations in clarity? What patterns do you see? Why might he have used a silver background?
3. The title of the work is Myths, a name Warhol gave to many of his works depicting celebrities and icons. What is he saying here about myths and mythmaking? Where do the myths come from? Who creates them?

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 11 - Myths - Exploring the Text: The title of the work is Myths, a name Warhol gave to many of his works depicting celebrities and icons. What is he saying here about myths and mythmaking? Where do the myths come from? Who creates them?
4. Uncle Sam is nearly at the center of the work. What might Warhol be saying about that American icon? Consider the figures on either side of Uncle Sam: a cartoon character and an image that is considered a racial stereotype.

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 11 - Myths - Exploring the Text: Uncle Sam is nearly at the center of the work. What might Warhol be saying about that American icon? Consider the figures on either side of Uncle Sam: a cartoon character and an image that is considered a racial stereotype.
5. Look carefully at the image of Warhol at the far right. Characterize him through his image here and through his role as “speaker” in this work. Hint: he portrays himself doubly—in one perspective as “The Shadow,” a popular radio crime fighter from the 1930s, and in another perspective looking straight out at the viewer.

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 11 - Myths - Exploring the Text: Look carefully at the image of Warhol at the far right. Characterize him through his image here and through his role as “speaker” in this work. Hint: he portrays himself doubly—in one perspective as “The Shadow,” a popular radio crime fighter from the 1930s, and in another perspective looking straight out at the viewer.
6. Warhol is credited with saying, “Art is what you can get away with.” Using this work and other Warhols with which you are familiar, support, challenge, or qualify that assertion.

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 11 - Myths - Exploring the Text: Warhol is credited with saying, “Art is what you can get away with.” Using this work and other Warhols with which you are familiar, support, challenge, or qualify that assertion.