When examining a can of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, I perceive it not just as soup but also as a form of artistic expression. My introduction to pop art came from Andy Warhol’s 1968 canvas titled “Chicken Noodle Soup.” Pop art is known for its distinctiveness and ability to capture attention, leading to recognition by the Museum of Modern Art. This movement emerged in the late 1950s and reached its peak during the 1960s. Alice Goldfarb Marquis, a writer, considers pop art the most extravagant and influential art movement of the twentieth century. Within both art collecting and the pop art movement, Ileana Sonnabend played a significant role. Born on October 29, 1914 in Romania, Sonnabend specialized in dealing with twentieth-century American Pop Art.
Some of the most famous works in her collections include pieces from Andy Warhol, Robert Morris, Jasper Johns, Mario Merz, Mel Bochner, Vito Acconci, John Baldessari, Jeff Koons, and Rauschenberg. Sonnabend was married to well-known Italian-American art dealer, Leo Castelli. Castelli and Sonnabend occasionally worked as a pair and both grew to be known figures in art dealing during their time. Sonnabend was also known for her diplomatic role in bringing new art, specifically American Pop art and Minimalism, from North America and bringing it to Europe while also giving some knowledge back to the US on Italian Arte Povera. Sonnabend had a special exhibit in the Metropolitan Museum of Art called “Ileana Sonnabend: Ambassador for the New,” which was being shown for a limited amount of time. Many people went to see what was described as a legendary exhibit that showcased Sonnabend’s legendary eagle eye.
Sonnabend showcased these artworks in various galleries across New York and Paris, establishing herself as a highly influential gallerist. Despite her influence as both a woman and an artist, she had an enigmatic and difficult-to-understand persona. The exhibited artworks contributed to her mysterious aura by highlighting her ability to quickly identify talent. Those who got to know her, especially the artists she closely collaborated with for this exhibition, witnessed her unwavering passion and commitment to art. She disregarded others’ opinions and solely focused on her own. Ultimately, every piece in the exhibition achieved success. The featured artworks were created by renowned artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, among others, chosen for their avant-garde history.
The term Avante Garde refers to the exploration of new and unconventional ideas, especially in art. It encompasses highly innovative and groundbreaking artworks. In Sonnabend’s exhibit called “Ambassador for the New,” two pieces that were particularly avante garde stood out: Andy Warhol’s 1947 White and Ralf Winkler’s Welt Des Adlers IV. Andy Warhol is widely recognized as a leading figure in Pop Art. According to art critic Arthur Danto, Warhol is “the closest thing to a philosophical genius that the history of art has produced.” Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1928, Andy Warhol (also known as Andrew Warhola) graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1945 with a degree in pictorial design before embarking on his successful career as a commercial artist in New York. He gained significant recognition and acclaim when he created his first pop art pieces in 1960. Notably, Warhol had his initial European exhibition with Sonnabend back in 1946.
AR Penck, also known as Ralf Winkler, was a German artist and musician who played a significant role in the cultural movement of pop art. One noteworthy piece in his Death and Disaster series is called 3 White 1947. This artwork portrays the suicide of Evelyn McHale, a twenty-three-year-old woman who leaped off the observation deck of the Empire State Building. The painting consists of seventeen repetitions of a black and white photograph arranged on a canvas measuring 10’1″ x 6’6″. Captured by photography student Robert Wiles moments after her death, this image depicts the dark nature of McHale’s act. Unlike other works by Penck, this avant-garde exploration into suicide sets this piece apart within his collection.
Around 1960, Winkler started painting stick figures, symbols, and concepts influenced by mathematics, cybernetics, and theoretical physics. His artistic style was shaped by Picasso and neovprimitivism. One of his notable works is called Welt des Adler IV or World of the Eagle IV. This painting is intriguing because it incorporates elements reminiscent of cave paintings, random fragments, a depiction of fire starting, human-shaped drawings, and several circles in black and grey colors. Its unconventional subject matter makes it highly avant-garde compared to the other pieces in the exhibition.
Personally, I consider Andy Warhol’s 1947 White as the most avant-garde work among the two mentioned. This artwork stands out due to its theme: suicide. To be considered avant-garde, a piece must be extraordinary and original. While both artworks convey avant-garde ideas, Warhol executes this concept exceptionally.
