i'm currently finishing my dissertation on andy warhol and social memory. i read the previous thread about why warhol is so popular and my theory is that he relies on memory to connect with the viewer - by using popular images that are closely associated with our own personal memories, he taps into a market where these associations then are reworked and achieve a 'warhol stamp' on them.

ie. when you see a campbells soup can printed on a tshirt you associate that with warhol instead of thinking that the tshirt is promoting the consumption of soup.

also using soup, we all have various memories of comfort associated with campbells (well an american audience does)... and warhol's own association with campbells through his childhood create a very emotive connection with the viewer. because he uses such an unemotional media (silk-screening) where he doesn't actually make a painterly mark on the canvas like the previous ab-ex movement, it's imperative there is some connection with his audience. his memorial painting of marilyn is another point i touch on, where he creates a collective arena for mourning - call it a marketing ploy if you will, it also allowed people to subtly remember monroe. warhol's use of a publicity shot from the film niagra is interesting because this was one of monroe's 'serious' roles and she desperatley throughout her life wanted to be remembered as a serious and deeply commited actress.

there's a lot i could type but i'm just throwing this out to get some conversation going on this topic. how do you feel about this...?