It is easy for an artist to be a critic of the community he lives in, as long as he does not partake in whatever practice he is criticizing. Often, the things people find most contemptible are also what they find enjoyable. Many things which we frown upon, such as bullying, drug use, and greed, are tempting because they can be fun or satisfying. The artist is no less susceptible to this temptation than anyone else. However, by putting their ideas into the public, artists take on a greater responsibility to live by them. Like anyone else, if an artist criticizes a certain lifestyle, it is hypocritical to have that lifestyle. An artist who practices moderation can criticize those in his society who live in excess, but an artist who sells his art for an exorbitant amount of money can’t look down on his society’s greed. It is sensible and consistent for an artist who regularly works in a soup kitchen to send a message to be more active in helping the less fortunate. It would be hypocritical for that same message to be sent by an artist who does nothing to help the poor.
Though I have difficulty interpreting Andy Warhol’s work, I do know that a common interpretation is that he is criticizing American celebrity culture. It is said that his repetitive images of public figures represent our obsession with famous people. If this is true, his social criticism is hypocritical. Warhol was a celebrity himself. He spent time with celebrities, and used his celebrity status to achieve his goal of being wealthy and famous. If Andy Warhol were not a celebrity, I doubt he would have been paid as much for his paintings, signature, and appearances. Most of his artwork is outstanding, (although some reminds me of things my ten year old cousin has brought home) but I don’t think that it would be considered as valuable if not for the Andy Warhol name. How can his criticism of our obsession with celebrity be authentic when so much of his success depended on it?
Some might argue that Andy Warhol could not have criticized celebrity culture without being one, but I disagree. In America, we are given plenty of access to the lives of celebrities. Tabloids, paparazzi, “True Hollywood Stories” all show us how the rich and famous live. It is even easier to observe American obsession with celebrity. I am not a celebrity, and I’m not obsessed with celebrity. However, I can clearly see how obsessed other people are. Some of the best selling magazines give us details on the relationships, scandals, and addictions of public icons. Walking down the street it is almost impossible not to hear a conversation about celebrities. I hear how hot Taylor Lautner or Jessica Alba is, how many kids Angelina Jolie has adopted, or Oprah’s new favorite book. It is obvious to me, an everyday guy, how celebrity obsessed America is. I don’t need to become a celebrity to figure it out, and neither did Andy Warhol.
