To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Andy Warhol's 1962 famous work, 32 Campbell's Soup Cans, Camden, N.J.-based Campbell Soup Co. introduces limited-edition cans of Campbell's Tomato soup with labels derived from original Warhol artwork. The four specially-designed labels reflect Warhol's pop-art style and use vibrant, eye-catching color combinations like orange and blue, and pink and teal.
When asked why he painted Campbell's soup cans, Warhol famously quipped, "I used to have the same [Campbell's soup] lunch every day for 20 years." For his first solo gallery exhibition held in Los Angeles in 1962, Warhol exhibited his famous paintings of the 32 Campbell's Soup Cans. Each of the 32 canvases depicted one variety of soup and was displayed side-by-side like cans of soup on a grocery store shelf. The painting helped launch Warhol's career and ushered in Pop Art as a major art movement in the U.S.
While Campbell did not commission Warhol to paint the original soup cans, the company is proud to be associated with his work and currently displays an original Warhol painting at its headquarters. Then President and CEO, William Beverly Murphy became a supporter of Warhol's work - sending him cases of Campbell's Condensed Tomato soup, commissioning two paintings and establishing the Andy Warhol Scholarship Fund with the New York Art Academy. Most recently, Campbell partnered with The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York as an Education Sponsor for the "Regarding Warhol: Sixty Artists, Fifty Years," exhibition, which opens Sept. 18.
"Campbell's Condensed soup is an iconic brand. And thanks to Andy Warhol's inspired paintings, Campbell's soup will always be linked to the Pop Art movement," says Ed Carolan, Vice President & General Manager, Campbell North America. "This Fall, to honor the golden anniversary of his first gallery exhibit, we'll celebrate Warhol and soup by releasing limited-edition Campbell's Tomato soup cans and making Andy's art available in the soup aisle of grocery stores."
Warhol is often quoted for his bold statement, "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." Campbell is giving people the opportunity to realize their own "15 Minutes of Fame" by transforming their photo on Facebook into a Warhol-inspired work of art to share with friends, and a few lucky fans' photos will be featured as the cover photo on the Campbell's Condensed Facebook page. Visit www.ArtofSoup.com to find the "Pop Art Portrait" photo application as well as other Warhol-inspired games and activities.
The limited-edition cans were produced under license from The Andy Warhol Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation that promotes the visual arts. Beginning Sunday, Sept. 2, the cans will be exclusively available at most Target locations nationwide for 75 cents per 10.75-oz. can, while supplies last.
Better hurry, they will go quickly..
