In the heart of Lyon’s historic district, an unusual exhibit is set to open on Sept. 14, blending the legacy of pop art icon Andy Warhol with the imagination of a literary student. Titled “Le Monde Selon Andy Warhol” ,the exhibition at La Chaufferie de l’Antiquaille offers an immersive journey into Warhol’s world through the eyes of Abel Carpenter, a fictional student in comparative literature.
Curated by David Lawrence, this event spans 300 square meters and features 50 never-before-seen, oversized photographs. The show marks a departure from the traditional Warhol retrospectives, offering a fresh, intimate lens on the artist’s life and work. Lawrence crafts a narrative that imagines the encounter between Carpenter and Warhol, using rare photos, videos, and authentic 1960s memorabilia to weave an engaging story.
Lawrence’s exhibition isn’t just an art display—it’s a journey through the mind of one of the most enigmatic figures in modern art. Warhol, the son of Austro-Hungarian immigrants, grew up in the industrial city of Pittsburgh during the Great Depression. Despite these hardships, he forged a path to New York in 1949, where he eventually became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Through the lens of Carpenter’s imagined conversations with Warhol, visitors are invited to explore the complexities behind Warhol’s work and persona. Lawrence taps into Warhol’s unique ability to dream beyond his humble beginnings and transform those dreams into cultural milestones.
The exhibit includes striking photographs, some as large as two meters, that showcase Warhol’s influence on contemporary culture. Accompanying these visuals are two rare drawings by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Warhol’s interpretation of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, which spans an impressive 3.5 meters. Visitors are encouraged to bring headphones for an interactive experience, where they can immerse themselves in audio-guided commentary.
The event also includes a special collection of Warhol-related items, including videos that provide a glimpse into his creative process and personal life. This curation seeks to show that, even decades after his death, Warhol’s ideas continue to shape modern art, fashion, and media.
La Chaufferie de l’Antiquaille, a cultural venue in Lyon, adds an extra layer of significance to the exhibit. The building’s preserved architecture provides a fitting backdrop for an artist whose work was all about juxtaposing the old with the new. This is the first time La Chaufferie has hosted an exhibition of this scale, and it promises to attract Warhol fans, art enthusiasts, and curious visitors alike.
The exhibition will run until Jan. 15, 2025. Tickets are priced at €12, with reduced rates available.
For those who seek to understand Warhol’s legacy beyond the Campbell’s Soup cans and Marilyn Monroe prints, this exhibition offers a deeper dive into the mind of an artist who changed the course of art history. It is not just a tribute, but a dialogue—a reminder that art is as much about the questions it provokes as the answers it offers.