It’s been a hot minute since a Vitreview, I intended to get this out earlier but life was life-ING. I started my sommelier classes and I’ve had a horde of tests & exams, I started recording videos for the Decadent Material YouTube channel so I’ve been doing a lot of research reading and script writing, etc.

Thankfully, we’re here now and for this belated vitreview I wanted to look back to the summer of 2023 when I and a number of art enthusiasts were treated to a monumental exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris titled: “Basquiat × Warhol: Painting Four Hands.”

In the electric atmosphere of 1980s New York City, Andy Warhol, the established Pope of Pop Art, took the young, brilliant Jean-Michel Basquiat under his wing, their relationship quickly evolving from mentorship to true artistic partnership.Their partnership, which spanned from 1984 to 1985, produced breathtaking works and left an important mark on the art world.

This exhibition offered an unprecedented exploration of one of the most dynamic and influential collaborations in modern art history, showcasing the creative synergy between Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol.

We have the duo’s art dealer Bruno Bischofberger, to thank for this monumental meeting that changed the history of modern art. The story of Basquiat and Warhol’s collaboration begins serendipitously at Warhol’s studio, “The Factory,” on October 4, 1982. Bruno Bischofberger introduced the young, vibrant Basquiat to the established pop art icon Warhol. This meeting marked the beginning of a relationship that would transcend traditional artistic boundaries and challenge preconceived notions of art and collaboration. Collaboration was part of New York’s downtown ’80s art scene. But, according to Basquiat curator and scholar Dieter Buchhart,

“Nobody did it to this extent and this intensity.'“

The collaboration between Basquiat and Warhol in my opinion was made greater by the tensions that existed in their radically different working styles. Warhol, known for his mechanical silkscreen techniques, found himself invigorated by Basquiat’s raw energy and neo expressionist style. Warhol was very impressed by basquiat and admitted to feeling a little envious of him. Bruno Bischofberger recalled Warhol saying to him

“I’m jealous, He’s faster than me.”

Basquiat, in turn, admired Warhol’s pioneering role in pop art and sought to gain recognition within the established art world. Their creative process was intensely dynamic. Warhol would often start a piece with familiar imagery or corporate logos, which Basquiat would then transform through his gestural painting style. This method resulted in artworks that were continuously evolving, with no fixed boundaries or ownership.

FONDATION LOUIS VUITTON

The Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris stands as a prominent art museum celebrated for its modern and contemporary art exhibitions. Designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry, the building itself is an architectural marvel, often described as a “transparent cloud” due to its innovative use of glass and steel. The museum hosts two major exhibitions each year, drawing a diverse audience from around the globe.

The idea for the Fondation began in 2001 when Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH, met Frank Gehry after visiting the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Impressed by Gehry’s fluid architectural forms, Arnault envisioned a similar landmark for Paris. By 2006, plans were officially announced for what would become a cultural icon in the Bois de Boulogne.

Gehry’s design for the Fondation Louis Vuitton is considered to be very innovative amongst the architectural set. The structure features an assembly of glass “sails” that envelop the building’s core, known as the “iceberg,” which is meant to provide both volume and a sort of joie de vivre. Comprising of 3,600 curved glass panels and 19,000 unique Ductal panels, this design allows the building to harmonize with its natural surroundings, reflecting light and creating mirror effects that enhance its integration into the landscape.

The Fondation opened to the public on October 27, 2014, offering an extraordinary space dedicated to art and culture. Since its opening, the Fondation Louis Vuitton has become a beacon of artistic innovation. It not only showcases significant works of modern and contemporary art but also embodies a fusion of traditional French cultural values with avant-garde architectural design. I thought it looked very futuristic and very reminiscent of Frank Gehrys style.

Frank Gehry

Frank Gehry, originally from Toronto, Canada, was born Frank Owen Goldberg in 1929. As a child, he enjoyed building cities and homes from scrap wood at his grandmother’s house. His architectural style draws from diverse influences, including Japanese architecture, the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and Rudolph Schindler, and the vibrant Pop Art scene of Los Angeles and New York.

Gehry’s early career involved working on commercial projects at Victor Gruen Associates, where he experimented with lighting, circulation, and unconventional materials. This experience became a foundation for his innovative approach to architecture, leading to the reinvention of various building types. Gehry transformed museums, such as the Guggenheim Bilbao, and music venues with his unique architectural “skin” and tectonics.

His work challenged the conventional skyscraper design, moving away from monotonous boxes or nostalgic Post-Modernist forms. Gehry’s continuous reinvention set him apart in a traditionally conservative profession. His architecture is seen as “restless attempts to be recognized as a different kind of architect,” breaking free from clichés and codes.

THE EXHIBITION

BASQUIAT X WARHOL:

PAINTING FOUR HANDS

As I stood in line waiting for the doors to open, in the light Parisian drizzle of an overcast day, I pondered on the impact of Basquiat and Warhol's relationship on art and on each other. It was a joint exhibition just like this one that brought this historic relationship to its knees. The turning point came at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery in 1985, which was going to be hosting its first-ever joint exhibition.

Critics destroyed the show, and the media's harsh reception cut deeply, particularly for Basquiat, who felt his artistic integrity had been questioned. The criticism drove a wedge between them, the friendship never recovered.

Despite—or perhaps because of—their groundbreaking work, the relationship between Basquiat and Warhol was viewed through various lenses. Artist Ronnie Cutrone described their partnership as “a crazy art-world marriage,” highlighting its complex dynamics. Some critics saw it as mutually exploitative; Warhol needed Basquiat’s fresh perspective to rejuvenate his career, while Basquiat sought Warhol’s fame to cement his status in the art world.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat emerged as a leading figure in the neo-expressionist movement during the late 20th century. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1960, Basquiat was of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent. He gained fame for his raw and vibrant style, characterized by graffiti-like imagery and social commentary. His work often addressed themes of race, identity, and power dynamics. Basquiat’s rise to prominence was swift, and he became one of the youngest artists to exhibit at prestigious venues like the Whitney Biennial. Despite his untimely death in 1988 at the age of 27, Basquiat’s influence on contemporary art remains profound.

Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol was a central figure in the pop art movement, renowned for his exploration of consumer culture and celebrity. Born Andrew Warhola in 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Warhol initially worked as a commercial illustrator before gaining fame as a visual artist. His iconic works include “Campbell’s Soup Cans” and “Marilyn Diptych,” which reflect his fascination with mass production and media. Warhol’s studio, The Factory, became a hub for artists and celebrities alike. Throughout his career, Warhol expanded into filmmaking and publishing, working consistently until his death in 1987.

Andy Warhol & Basquiat are both present in Ken Griffins art collection, check out his collectors profile HERE

Basquiat x Warhol: Painting 4 Hands offers an insightful look into one of modern art’s most intriguing collaborations, celebrating the legacy of two artists who continue to influence generations. The exhibition captured the synergy between Basquiat’s expressive style and Warhol’s pop sensibility. Their collaborative works reveal a fusion of their distinct approaches, creating a new visual language that challenges conventional art boundaries.The alliance was not just about artistic experimentation, but also reflected broader cultural and social themes.

I was beyond excited to finally see one of the most famous works from their partnership, "Arm and Hammer II" (1985) . I love this piece so much because it perfectly captured their artistic essences while also remaining very balanced. Warhol began with his signature commentary on consumer culture, painting twin versions of the familiar household logo. Basquiat transformed one into a powerful homage to jazz legend Charlie Parker, complete with the year of Parker's death. It was said to be a masterful conversion – Basquiat taking Warhol's cool commercial imagery and infusing it with deeper resonance about race, artistic genius, and the dark side of fame. Another meaning I inferred from the image was Black Americans being the soul and inspiration of American pop culture. Parker, a recurring figure in Basquiat's solo work, became a bridge between their distinct artistic vocabularies.

It challenged racial dynamics within the art world by bringing together two artists from vastly different backgrounds—Warhol, a white artist deeply entrenched in the pop art scene, and Basquiat, a Black artist emerging from the street art movement. Their partnership symbolized an intergenerational dialogue that defied traditional artistic categorizations.The collaborative works explored a range of themes, from corporate logos and cultural iconography to political commentary and personal symbolism. This fusion of pop art and neo-expressionism created a unique visual language that resonated with audiences and critics alike.

Their worlds merged seamlessly – Warhol became not just Basquiat's collaborator but his landlord, confidant, and frequent companion. Their connection ran deep enough that Warhol would make the journey to Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, breaking bread with Basquiat's family in a gesture that bridged their vastly different worlds.

Through long phone conversations and shared travels, they cultivated a creative dialogue that would produce some of the decade's most compelling artwork.Their technical approach was equally innovative. By rejecting individual ownership of their creations, they embraced a spontaneous method that allowed for immediate artistic response and transformation. This approach not only redefined collaborative art practices but also challenged existing artistic hierarchies.

Yet their relationship, like many great artistic partnerships, carried the seeds of its own undoing.

The vibrant downtown art scene that had nurtured their friendship – with its intoxicating mix of gallery openings, critical reviews, auction drama, and commercial success – began to feel oppressive. Their once-constant companionship cooled, and before they could find their way back to each other, tragedy struck.

Warhol's unexpected death following gallbladder surgery in 1987 left their story forever unfinished. Basquiat, already struggling with personal demons, would follow his friend and mentor eighteen months later, succumbing to a heroin overdose.

Their brief, brilliant collaboration illuminated the art world like a meteor, leaving behind works that continue to challenge our understanding of art, commerce, race, and fame. In the end, their story remains both a celebration of artistic possibility and a cautionary tale about the pressures of success in the unforgiving crucible of 1980s New York.

Standing in line, 38 years later, on the corner of the Bois de Boulogne, in the light Parisian drizzle, of an overcast day, I smiled to my self knowing that both Andy & Jean would have loved the lore.

Check out the full video of the visit @decadentmaterial

Art & Wine Advisory

THE VITREVIEW: FONDATION LOUIS VUITTON