This is how the Museum of Modern Art reps rejected artists in 1956 — with an unnecessarily large pile of finely minced words. Just a few years before Andy hit it big with Marilyn pop soup, “the Committee” thought that the MoMA’s “severely limited gallery and storage space” made it “not fair to accept as a gift a work which may be shown only infrequently.” In other words — it sucks, no thanks, come get it, thanks. Before you print and hang this on your wall for inspiration and pffft and snicker at MoMA because Andy’s about to sell a silkscreen Elvis for $50 million at Sotheby’s… do remember that it was just a drawing a Shoe.
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That Time Andy Warhol Was Rejected by the MoMA
By Marina Galperina |
5 Responses to “That Time Andy Warhol Was Rejected by the MoMA”
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They also turned down a Basquiat, if I recall correctly, after he had become somewhat successful as well. Shows you how recently they wielded this attitude.
that is the nicest rejection letter I've ever seen…even nicer than the one from Sundance!
I was also impressed with the courteous way this rejection was couched. I've had much more brutal responses — essentially, fuck off, we hate your work. And yet I'm still pushing the Art rock up the hill…
I'm getting turned down left and right, I get disgusting stares, and even asked "Can I help you?" i'm like bitch.. thats my shit on the wall.
I was told once that chamber of commerce main gallery for community artist was booked for 10 years and I should look somewhere else… Warhold, Basquiat as G's, they made it happen!
Que maravilla!