This is the true treasure trove for Warhol fanatics. Much of his early life and 60's life and work is relegated to Episode one - so that we get 5 more episodes that concentrate on his private life, his love life, and his later work - elements that are often underexposed or treated as trivial. Well Warhol's post 70's work is not trivial. It is, in fact, a vibrant, complex, emotional, spiritual and still relevant. And we really get an in-depth look at it here.
This series is jam-packed with pictures, videos, film, and art that has rarely seen the light of day. It's a real treat to see actual pictures and video of what the film is describing. Yes, the storyline is somewhat culled from Warhol's Diaries - which were redacted and edited by Pat Hackett - but this is only a device to give the video, pictures, interviews and commentary here a structure. Warhol filmed and photographed and recorded constantly - and we get the feelings that there are boxes and boxes and more boxes of his work to be discovered.
But what is here is cool. And its even more cool, because we get to hear Andy's thoughts in Andy's words - but in a nothing-less-than Warholian stroke of inspiration, the words are mouth by a AI Warhol - a computerized version of his voice that sounds just enough like him to feel real - but just computerized enough to remind us that the feeling is an illusion.
Warhol's friends and family appear here and there in the film - and most of these are just wonderful to hear and see... but then there is Bob Colacello - one of the most nasty, vile, hateful and grotesque of Warhol's wannabees. Colacello wrote a book about Warhol called "Holy Terror" - but it is Colacello who is unholy - and a true garbage person. Ignore anything he says. Feel free to fast forward through his dialogue as it is trite, ignorant, mindless drivel. He belongs on the ash heap of history and all true Warhol fans will breathe a sigh of relief when he finally disappears from the planet. There will be no mourners.
The Warhol Diaries does leave a lot to be desired - but that is because the man was just a wealth of work, thought-provoking ideas, talent and inspiration. One can only hope that this is the start of something that will evolve into numerous new docu-series about the man. Warhol's 60's work, the Happenings, the Superstars and many more related topics deserve to be explored in a series of episodes that, like these, delve deeply into their existence.
And the Warhol films - Holy Moley - the films... there are almost a footnote here - but talk about a wealth of complex and unique items that deserve to be revealed more intensely and completely. One waits with baited breath. John Waters - get to work!
Yes, The Warhol Diaries explores a lot about the artist, the myth, the lover, the legend... and it leaves so much more to be returned to. We can only hope we live to see it.
Warhol will never, can never, die. His influence - not just in art - but in our daily lives - will continue for eons. He is the second half of 20th Century incarnate.
This series is jam-packed with pictures, videos, film, and art that has rarely seen the light of day. It's a real treat to see actual pictures and video of what the film is describing. Yes, the storyline is somewhat culled from Warhol's Diaries - which were redacted and edited by Pat Hackett - but this is only a device to give the video, pictures, interviews and commentary here a structure. Warhol filmed and photographed and recorded constantly - and we get the feelings that there are boxes and boxes and more boxes of his work to be discovered.
But what is here is cool. And its even more cool, because we get to hear Andy's thoughts in Andy's words - but in a nothing-less-than Warholian stroke of inspiration, the words are mouth by a AI Warhol - a computerized version of his voice that sounds just enough like him to feel real - but just computerized enough to remind us that the feeling is an illusion.
Warhol's friends and family appear here and there in the film - and most of these are just wonderful to hear and see... but then there is Bob Colacello - one of the most nasty, vile, hateful and grotesque of Warhol's wannabees. Colacello wrote a book about Warhol called "Holy Terror" - but it is Colacello who is unholy - and a true garbage person. Ignore anything he says. Feel free to fast forward through his dialogue as it is trite, ignorant, mindless drivel. He belongs on the ash heap of history and all true Warhol fans will breathe a sigh of relief when he finally disappears from the planet. There will be no mourners.
The Warhol Diaries does leave a lot to be desired - but that is because the man was just a wealth of work, thought-provoking ideas, talent and inspiration. One can only hope that this is the start of something that will evolve into numerous new docu-series about the man. Warhol's 60's work, the Happenings, the Superstars and many more related topics deserve to be explored in a series of episodes that, like these, delve deeply into their existence.
And the Warhol films - Holy Moley - the films... there are almost a footnote here - but talk about a wealth of complex and unique items that deserve to be revealed more intensely and completely. One waits with baited breath. John Waters - get to work!
Yes, The Warhol Diaries explores a lot about the artist, the myth, the lover, the legend... and it leaves so much more to be returned to. We can only hope we live to see it.
Warhol will never, can never, die. His influence - not just in art - but in our daily lives - will continue for eons. He is the second half of 20th Century incarnate.