Dana Kletchka introduced Thomas Sokolowski as director of The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, curator of several prestigious art institutions, a former professor at various universities and eyeglass connoisseur of the highest class.
Sokolowski -- who took the podium wearing thick, purple-rimmed glasses -- gave a lecture Thursday titled "Andy Warhol: Camouflage Man." More than 100 students, faculty, and community members filled the seats of the Palmer Museum's Lipcon Auditorium.
Sokolowski emphasized Warhol's ability to combine abstract ideas into easily recognizable patterns, such as camouflage and inkblot tests.
"It's abstract, but if you know anything about psychoanalysis or if you've been to a shrink ... you're probably too young but don't worry, you'll get there," he said.
Sokolowski also explained Warhol's obsession with the metaphorical camouflage worn by many celebrities of the time. As an example, he used the famous silkscreen images of Marilyn Monroe.
"The lipstick looks more like a Puerto Rican drag queen than a beautiful lady," he said.
Warhol was intrigued by the proliferation of images of famous people and especially focused on those celebrities who represented a beautiful, commercial façade hiding a troubled personal life, Sokolowski said. Some of what Sokolowski told audience members of Warhol's personal life came from being an acquaintance of the artist for about 20 years.
"It's nice to hear someone who knew Andy talk about him," Stephanie Swindle (graduate-art history) said.
After Sokolowski's lecture, guests moved to a reception where they got their own Polaroids Andy Warholized and even talked to "Warhol" himself.
Complete with a wig, black clothes and thick spectacles, Erik Larson (junior-theatre) walked around taking pictures with guests, playing the role of the artist.
