When I was living in Philadelphia, after attending art school and between jobs, I wandered down the street to a bookstore with its doors open. In a massive pile was the first edition of the book “The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B and Back Again).” I bought the book.
This very famous artist, Andy Warhol seemed so accessible! We think alike! And how far is New York from here anyway!?
After a bold moment of courage, I called Andy Warhol Enterprises in Manhattan. The man answering the phone was very nice. I wanted to work for them, I said. In the Art Department of Interview Magazine. He said, please send us a tape of your voice. Andy would really like your voice.
So I did. But as the saying goes, I never heard back from them. And, to be honest, I was a little afraid of The Factory and all the goings-on there. Not the man himself, but those who associated with him. I never pursued it.
After reading subsequent books of Warhol’s, I learned that he kept time capsules. Andy Warhol was an organized hoarder, much like I am. That everything he received by mail or that which was given to him, he put in a box, marked with the year.
When he died, the time capsules were put in the soon to be built Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
My voice is in the Andy Warhol Museum!
Wow, wow, wow! How amazing!
Do you ever wonder what might have been if you got that call back?
But your voice. In the museum. Awesome!
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I often wonder, Jenny, if I had really been less young and less afraid, if I would have been able to handle all of that! Maybe all Andy wanted was someone to answer the phone!!! But still…..(weird, weird people there)
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Wow! That’s a great story, Hollis! How cool!
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It is cool, Jill! It really is. If only….
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I think it was brave even to call in the first place. It’s a shame you didn’t get a call back. I even heard about the time capsules on the radio today, so you’re international news.
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Brave is cool. But international news? Today about the time capsules? How strange!
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That’s awesome!
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Yes it is Marey. I bet Andy wishes he had your wigs you have now at that time! Especially the red/orange one! 🙂
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How cool! Makes me think of the very good movie, Sliding Doors.
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Yes, Doug clued me in on that movie (I did not know of it!) Yes, if only…….the road not taken. Especially fitting, Marjie, because of my so called resemblance to Blythe Danner! Thank you for the comment! (And congratulations on Sam becoming engaged!)
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Cool! Do you know why they are building it in Pittsburgh?
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Yes! Andy Warhol grew up in Pittsburgh! His actual grave is in Pittsburgh with his real name Warhola. Even though when he died, the entire art community celebrated with a memorial at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC. Poor Andy. To me, he was always exploited.
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I confess to not knowing much about his life. Maybe I should read up on him a bit more.
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Of course it is. I want it in my time capsule, too!
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I’ll get right on it! ❤
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That’s very cool, Hollis! What a great story. I’d love to visit the Andy Warhol museum some day.
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Me too! 🙂
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I think this is an amazing example of youth and guts! I am in awe of your calling and following up by sending a tape of your voice, Hollis! So awesome! I also think it would have been exciting, that sometimes rumors about places may be scary, but while employed there it may have been not that big a ‘deal.’ Anyway, fate didn’t take you that direction, but you have led an interesting life, meeting and escorting famous people around. Plus, you can go visit the Pittsburg, Pennsylvania Andy Warhol Museum once it is built. It would be fun to see if you can find your name on the tape of your voice, stored there! I love going to the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with I have been to two Salvador Dali museums, one in Florida and the other in Spain!
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You know, you are probably right about the fact that it may not have been so weird once I got into it. Who knows? It could have just been Andy Warhol’s persona? A publicity thing. Could have just been a normal job! Exciting to be around him, but for the most part, just a normal job!
BTW I am pretty sure the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh is built now. I would love to go see it. Lucky you to see two Salvador Dali Museums!
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Oh, psst! I did not read that it was after he died, which makes sense that it is already built! I tend to read far too quickly and don’t always see the details, Hollis! Glad you could see that it may have not been quite as wild of a position, once you were in it. As if I would know this fact?!! Smiles!
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Oh that’s okay. Sometimes these blogs are hard to do. I have been in the same position. As for your advice, it’s probably sound. 🙂 No way of knowing though. But I think it is!
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Fab story, Hollis!! My favorite part:”…After a bold moment of courage…” Too funny! But what a great thing you did by calling – else, one would never know, right? 🙂
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Yes, it was very adrenaline pumping! The amazing thing is, that Andy seemed so “human.” and likable in the book. And after reading lots about him, before and after his death, it is documented that he really was a sweet person. If only….
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Wow, that’s amazing to know your voice is in such a place. 😀 As for the job, once you were there, it probably would have been as routine as any other similar job. But then again, it was Andy Warhol so who knows?
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I know, he was unpredictable. Thanks, Elizabeth, for the comment! I have a feeling Andy would’ve been into selfies! 🙂
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Organised hoarder, I like that…if all hoarders thought like that, they’d get a lot more stuff in their places.
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🙂
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Organized horder–that’s a great phrase. How cool for your voice to be in that time capsule!
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Hi Kourtney! Yes, I think so too. Sometimes I think I channel Andy when doing my artwork (or shop, or accumulate as he liked to do) and then I remember this connection…….:)
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What a fun blog you have! Thanks for ‘liking’ a post of mine. You introduced me to you:)
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Did I? I am so glad you “joined” me!
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