First conceived in 1990 and formulated through other paths during the years since, the Center explores art and culture from the perspective of Andy Warhol’s mentoring relationship with his environment; specifically with Jean Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, as well as the exploration of the ideas and lineages of each.
The essence of the Warholian Research Center is it’s creation of a place to explore the underpinnings of what Warhol passed on to his two inheritors in a mutual symbiosis.
Encompassing the openness Warhol’s legacy spoke to: a dialogue to be carried out in the community and the school; a roundtable spirit.
This resource for contemporary inquisitors was founded to encourage the forming of new conclusions and new manifestations in the arts, that continue to look to this lineage for inspiration and guidance.
HISTORY...
The unique circumstance of losing three icons of the art world within a three year period left a particular unresolved, emotional and complex precedent for research. Warhol’s encouragement supported his proteges’ continuation and the evolution of his own impact, relationships that should have produced many more works and documentation. In the latter part of Warhol’s life, he made a conscious decision to absorb Haring & Basquiat into his life- and let himself be immersed in theirs, even as highly uncharacteristic as this was of Warhol’s previous relationships with other visual artist peers.
DEVELOPING CONCLUSIONS...
Warhol’s contribution was indeed collaborative, thus “Warholian” refers to Andy Warhol and his collaborators, sometimes regardless of their knowledge of contribution or their proper due given.
Warhol actively documented his intellectual mentoring of Keith Haring and Haring considered Warhol a mentor in the most classic of ways, according to Haring’s own writings. The fact that Haring was first and foremost a community artist, and that Warhol saw him as a continuation of his work, is an underlying emphasis of the Warholian Linage Research Center.
Jean Michel Basquiat was the only visual artist that Warhol extensively collaborated with on actual works. Warhol’s work with Basquiat was unprecedented and thorough and create another major emphasis of research at Warholian Lineage Research Center. Basquiat's heritage and Warhol’s ideas on diversity are also of major emphasis in understanding the Warholian lineage by current and future generations.
Warhol’s emphasis on the uniqueness of each individual and his reliance on women in his environment also serve as major clues to his directive.
CURRENT GOALS...
To create a non-profit arts organization with expanded offices, exhibition, and research facilities open to all in Manhattan.
To support education of this lineage and the creation of educational outreach for people of all ages and to support the manifestation of museums for Andy Warhol, Jean Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring in New York City.
To document and promote the Warholian lineage and the modern, contemporary and new artists of this lineage.
To encourage the mentor and disciple relationship in culture at large, based on this linage and other historic examples.