Factory: Andy Warhol is a collection of photographs by photographer Stephen Shore, taken at Andy Warhol’s Factory between 1965 and 1967. During that period, Shore spent nearly every day taking pictures of the legendary studio’s diverse cast of characters, from Edie Sedgwick to Lou Reed and Warhol himself. The book provides an insider’s view of this extraordinary moment and place, including many previously unpublished and rarely seen photographs.
Shore was only 17 years old when he began hanging out at Warhol’s studio in Manhattan. His time at the Factory coincided with Warhol’s emergence as a prominent artist and his images present the social and working life of the studio, as well as a visual tour of the changing arts scene of the late 1960s. The photographs are published alongside reflective interviews from key figures from the time including John Cale, Gerard Malanga, Sterling Morrison and Jonas Mekas.
The images capture Warhol’s artistic process and the characters and culture of the team around him, from The Velvet Underground practicing in the Factory to Edie Sedgwick talking on the Factory’s pay phone. Shore’s contact sheets from the period are also published for the first time.
Factory: Andy Warhol provides an insight into Shore’s development as a photographer and the impact Warhol had on his work. Both Warhol and Shore had an interest in experimental film and met at an underground film screening. By 1965 Warhol was well known in New York cultural circles and Shore asked if he could come and photograph at the Factory. A month later, Warhol invited Shore to take pictures of a film shoot at the restaurant L’Avventura, marking the beginning of their collaboration.
An essay, 16 interviews with regulars at the Factory and captions by writer Lynne Tillman, are presented alongside the 175 black-and-white photographs. Together, these materials make this book a must have.
Stephen Shore, Factory: Andy Warhol
Published by Phaidon
39.95
