Warhol's Pop Art Takes Over Former Breton Supermarket, Echoing His Museum Prediction

A unique exhibition featuring 200 works by the iconic pop artist Andy Warhol has opened in Landerneau, a small town in Brittany, western France. The unusual venue for this collection of art is a former supermarket, specifically the first E.Leclerc store, which was established by the artist's father in 1949. This "temple of consumption," as described by the current head of the retail giant, has been transformed into the Hélène and Edouard Leclerc Fund for Culture (FHEL) since 2011, hosting significant art exhibitions.

The exhibition brings back familiar symbols of consumerism, such as Heinz ketchup and Coca-Cola bottles, but this time as artistic creations by Warhol. This setting directly relates to Warhol's own prediction: "One day, all department stores will become museums." The exhibition begins by showcasing some of his early works from his career in advertising and store display design, before moving on to his globally recognized Campbell's soup silkscreens and Brillo pad boxes.

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One day, all department stores will become museums.

Amber Morgan, director of collections at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, which loaned the works, explained that for Warhol, "there was no difference (...) between fine arts and commercial art." This perspective is evident throughout his career, as he frequently blurred the lines between art and advertising. In 1985, he repurposed advertisements from brands like Chanel and Apple into artworks. Twelve years later, Chanel acquired the rights to one of these pieces to use it in their own advertising, creating a perpetual loop of art and commerce.

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For Warhol, there was no difference (...) between fine arts and commercial art.

Warhol himself became a commercial entity, appearing in advertisements, such as a 1981 ad for video cassettes alongside his famous Marilyn Monroe silkscreen. The exhibition prominently features his vibrant portraits, created in a prolific manner to generate income, depicting figures like Yves Saint Laurent, Dennis Hopper, and Truman Capote. It also includes a section on American myths, ranging from Donald Duck to the electric chair and the dollar symbol.

The exhibition also touches upon Warhol's interactions with Donald Trump. Two paintings from 1981 depict New York's Trump Tower. According to Morgan, Trump had considered commissioning a representation but ultimately did not like or purchase the works, leaving Warhol feeling "a bit bitter about never having been paid." The exhibition is scheduled to run until January 24, 2027.

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was a bit bitter about never having been paid