Ferus

by Gagosian Gallery (Contributor), Kirk Varnedoe (Contributor), Roberta Bernstein (Contributor)

Under the seminal direction of Irving Blum, Ferus Gallery quickly became one of the leading galleries on the West Coast, showing important and groundbreaking works—including Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans, Roy Lichtenstein’s Drowning Girl, and Ed Ruscha’s Los Angeles County Museum on Fire—and helping to launch the American Pop movement. The book was first published on the occasion of the 2002 exhibition of the same name at Gagosian’s Chelsea gallery. A timeline documenting the Ferus gallery’s history opens the fully illustrated catalogue, followed by an interview with Irving Blum by Roberta Bernstein and a critical discussion of Warhol’s Campbell’s soup can paintings by Kirk Varnedoe. This hardcover edition is 148 pages, with 93 color and 67 black-and-white reproductions, including evocative documentary photography by Dennis Hopper.

Genres: Art

146 pages, Hardcover

First published May 19, 2009

Reviews

[Tosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2002, the Gagosian Gallery in New York City put out this catalogue that became out of print almost the moment of its release. Now Rizzoli has re-released it, and it's a fascinating history of the art world in Los Angeles circ. late 1950's till the late 60's.

My father being part of the Ferus Gallery narrative, I sort of see this book as a family album of sorts. But nevertheless there is sort of a two part story involved with the Ferus Gallery. One is the Walter Hopps era and the other is Irving Blum. This is Irving's Ferus Gallery, and like Hopps was an important figure in planet Los Angeles art.

Not a huge book by any means, but on the other hand, this is a beautiful document of a really fun time - and lots of good art was produced in those years. For those who are fans of the documentary "The Cool School" will want to pick this up. Also another book on the subject matter will come out shortly - and that was put together by Kristine McKenna. So yes, Ferus Gallery is a big subject matter in itself - and therefore attention must be paid for those who are interested in American mid-20th Century art and social culture.