Andy Warhol: Social Disease, an exhibition at Dover Street Market New York (DSMNY), presents a selection of iconic works by Andy Warhol. The exhibition is curated by Michael Dayton Hermann of The Andy Warhol Foundation and celebrates the diverse and dynamic social scene of New York City that Warhol was deeply entwined with, a spirit that continues to thrive within the creative community nurtured by DSMNY. The exhibition will be on view November 19 – December 2, 2024.
With an abundance of symptoms including excess gossip, superficial friendships, and enduring success, Andy Warhol once self-diagnosed as having a social disease. He famously remarked, “I have a Social Disease. I have to go out every night. If I stay home one night I start spreading rumors to my dogs.”
Warhol’s creative perspective was as unconventional as it was expansive. His socially rich life—full of interactions that inspired, connected, and opened doors—was integral to his vision and ambitions. Recognizing the power of a dynamic social life, his storied studio, the Factory, was not just a place where people came to see him; it was a vibrant hub where individuals from all walks of life gathered because “they were interested in seeing each other.”
Warhol was a brave non-conformist, unwilling to be defined by convention, rejection, or failure. Instead of adapting to others’ expectations, he worked to expand established social circles to include outsiders and marginalized groups. He bent the arc of culture not by proselytizing, condemning, litigating, or canceling, but through genuine engagement. His live-and-let-live ethos, insatiable curiosity, and provocative works are disarming, if not subversive, in their power to engage us.
Andy Warhol: Social Disease at Dover Street Market New York celebrates the diverse and dynamic social scene in New York City that Warhol was a part of, a spirit which continues to thrive within the creative community nurtured by DSMNY. Warhol’s original photographs, featuring NYC luminaries such as Fab 5 Freddy, Debbie Harry, and Joey Arias, alongside his original hand-screened t-shirts from the era, capture the essence of his interactions and the cultural landscape he navigated. The exhibition showcases specific works that reflect the vibrancy of social encounters, illustrating how Warhol’s legacy continues to resonate within vital communities and movements today.
Revenue from the sale of these works will generously support the Warhol Foundation’s endowment, from which it distributes approximately $18 million in cash grants annually to advance the visual arts.
– Michael Dayton Hermann, Director of Licensing, Marketing and Sales, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc.
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The exhibition, on view from November 19th until December 2nd at Dover Street Market New York, offers visitors an immersive experience that reflects the vibrancy of social encounters in Warhol’s world.
In addition to Warhol’s artworks, the exhibition will also feature one-of-a-kind products such as replicas of Andy Warhol’s screen printed Converse and exclusive pieces from luxury watch and jewelry Maison, Piaget.
In the 80s, Warhol transformed a pair of his own Chucks into his own canvas—adding hand-screened graphics inspired by his creative explorations at the time. These replicas celebrate his legacy as a cultural trailblazer and highlight Converse’s lasting presence in the art subculture – a fitting tribute to the creative spirit that continues to define New York’s cultural pulse.
Also on display will be Piaget’s aptly named ‘Andy Warhol Watch’ originally launched in 1972 as an era-defining timepiece (then known as the ‘Black Tie’), Warhol purchased his very own version in 1973. As a friend of Yves Piaget and the Maison, as well as being a key member of the Piaget Society, the collection became synonymous with Andy Warhol- it was only fitting that Piaget collaborate with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts to rename the Black Tie watch to the Andy Warhol watch just this year.
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Warhol acquires the first of several compact 35 mm cameras, and over the next 11 years shot approximately 130,000 black-and-white images, claiming that “having a few rolls of film to develop gives me a good reason to get up in the morning.”