Munich - Meiserstrasse ? 1 - 1982

Curator: We're looking at "Munich - Meiserstrasse?" by Andy Warhol, taken in 1982. It's a black and white photograph of a building facade. Editor: My first impression is the contrast. The sharp lines of the architecture against the soft light, gives it almost an oppressive feel, despite the classical arches of the windows. Curator: Warhol was constantly playing with ideas of mechanical reproduction, and this piece continues that interest. It asks, can photography also become a sort of "printmaking"? It reflects the social landscape, and the built environments of urban life. His serial silkscreen portraits are so famous, but it’s important to remember the roots in photo-based works. Editor: The monochrome really strips it down to form. Note the way the sunlight dissects the image diagonally, creating a powerful division. There is also the texture. It's almost palpable; I can feel the rough, stony facade, adding another layer of visual interest. It is very architectural in its composition. Curator: Absolutely. It's interesting to think about Warhol outside the studio setting as well. How does celebrity culture function within the regular street scene? It’s also worth considering the date: 1982, a pivotal moment culturally. This work presents a stark realism that contrasts with the more obviously glamorous imagery he’s often associated with. Editor: Perhaps Warhol here sought to uncover the underlying structures and rhythms of everyday life using pure form. In any event, his use of shadow to emphasize shape makes it memorable. There's almost a brutal elegance to it. Curator: Well, I think you are spot on. Warhol had a keen interest in reflecting society in both its spectacle and its mundane state, highlighting their intertwined natures. Editor: Precisely! And to think, he was primarily concerned with structure, tone and the basic aesthetic value of shapes, planes and patterns.