Thanks for the Memories, Andy Warhol

“Thanks for the Memories, Andy Warhol”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/arts/design/30vogel.html?pagewanted=1&sq=Cathy%20Naso&st=cse&scp=1

There was a lady who called Cathy Naso from Brooklyn. When she was a college student in 1965, she worked at Andy Warhol’s legendary Factory as a receptionist. She worked there for two years after school, on weekends, and during vacations. Because she worked hard in this Fatory, Warhol gave her the biggest present. The most important souvenir Ms. Naso has from those years is a 1965 self-portrait that Warhol gave her as a reward for her hard work. But now, more than 40 years later, she has decided to part with the painting. Sotheby’s is selling it on Nov. 11 at its evening sale of contemporary art, where experts there estimate it will fetch $1 million to $1.5 million.

She had been kept for a time in her kitchen in Connecticut. But then she grew afraid that it might be stolen, so she carefully secreted it away in a closet. “I didn’t put it in the closet because I’m a crazy person, but because I’ve treasured it,” Ms. Naso said. “It was Andy and it was his portrait.” However, if so, why did she make up her mind to part with it? Answer to this question is in Ms.Naso’s words on the article. She said; “I would love to keep it forever, but it really belongs to the art world,” and also she said, “I’ve treasured it. And I want whoever ends up owning it to treasure it too.”

I like her idea that she wants to keep it forever and also wants to convey Warhol’s grand achievement in history. However, on the other hand, the self-portrait was a personal present to her. If I were Andy Warhol, it would be sad and shocking that the present which I give will be sold. In addition, if the seller get vast property, I think that it is still more a shock.