Andy Warhol's New York

In 1964, the Gallery hosted Warhol's exhibition that became a sort of turning point in his career – The American Supermarket. Styled as a typical mall all its goods – cans, posters, packages were made by six artists, pioneers of pop-art, including Warhol himself. His famous Campbell's soup prints were then traded for 1,500 dollars while cans were only six – they had Warhol's autographs.

Andy Warhol's core project and creation was The Factory – a studio he initially rented to work on paintings and movies but which later became an artistic hangout – models, amphetamine lovers and artsy folk of all kind, whom the pop art idol dubbed as superstars. The inventor of mass-produced objects, Warhol engaged his guests in his art – the same as conveyor belt workers in factories.
The studio changed three locations in two decades. The original one was a small venue between 231 East street and 47th Street – it cost only 100 dollars a year.
In 1968, it moved to Union Square, to the sixth floor of the Decker Building – where the majority of Andy's films were made and French feminist Valeria Solanas tried to shoot him in despair of failing to become one of his superstars. After this Warhol had to wear a surgical corset till death.
Now the studio can be seen from Union Square.

This legendary NYC club rocked from 1977 to 1980 and was frequented by the best of the best – the most famous and trendies of the 1970s – Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli, Michael Jackson, Richard Gere and other celebs. Getting inside was almost impossible and legends had it there was a cocaine dispenser and the diamond-studded bar while its dark balconies (the place was a converted theatre) hosted wild orgies in the pre-AIDS awareness era. In 1980, the party was over – cops shut the venue and jailed the owners. Now the place between Broadway and W 54th is a theater again showing some popular musicals.

Iconic New York club of the 1960-70s but not as wild as Studio 54. It still had many artistic patrons – musicians, poets, artists and sculptors. It was the glam rock spot frequented by David Bowie, Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, whileThe Velvet Underground had a gig there weekly. In 1970, Andy Warhol rent a private room in the club where he chilled with his Factory crowd. In 1973, artistic folks moved to a different place but in 1975 the club's stage saw The Ramones, Patty Smith and Green Cafe and rocked again. Now, the building is taken by the Green Cafe.

Andy lived in a five-story brownstone in Madison – so Manhattany. He shared the place with his bf Jed Johnson, two dachshunds and two maids. The interior was 19th century American Empire furniture, Native Indian carpets and Art Deco. In was the heart of Manhattan – a minute walk to Phyllis Cerf, whose husband owned a publishing house and later published Andy Warhol's Index Book.

Andy Warhol's family was Lemkos – a small Ukrainian ethnic group. His mom and dad fled to the US from Slovakia and his real last name was Warhola. Since childhood, he attended the Orthodox Church in Pittsburg and didn't drop this habit when he grew up and moved to NYC. He was a regular in Manhattan's Saint Vincent Ferrer, thought it was Catholic, priests saw him crossing himself in right-to-left movement. He never made it to confessions or communion but was a front-rower. Maybe he chose the Church for its location and beautiful architecture.

Andy Warhol’s Factory has changed locations a couple of times and its last resort was 860 Broadway, not far from the previous pop art hub's shelter in the Decker Building at 33 Union Square. Warhol adored this artistic neighbourhood and was even nicknamed "the white mole of Union Square". In 2011, the Andy Monument was unveiled right across the Factory. The shiny silver statue is homage to one of Warhol's fav colors – he decorated his office with tin foil and silver paint.

In his early career Andy Warhol designed covers for Vogue and he has never been a stranger to fashion. He tried himself in all possible arts, including fashion design. One of his rare creations was a pretzel-print dress, commemorating this snack symbol of NYC. Today, the thing is part of the Met collection together with the famous Campbell's Soup Cans. By the way, the artist loved to stage photo shoots on Met's staircase.