The Emptiness of the Conveyor Belt

Here's a name for you: Andy Warhol. 

Here's a quote for you: "Isn't life a series of images that change as they repeat themselves?" 

So why bring up a Campbell's soup can, Marilyn Monroe, and the man behind the art?

Because of the emptiness of the conveyor belt.

In the 1960's a movement exploring pop art was raging, and at the forefront was Andy Warhol, busily redefining what we define as art. In 1968 he painted the Campbell's soup can. And suddenly a soup can became art. Products off of a conveyor belt were sold for $6.00 a can with an autograph, and suddenly the emptiness and practicality of mass production became meaningful. What changed?

Another famous painting was Warhol's "Marilyn Monroe Series." Each painting is reproduced in a different color scheme, and even more interesting is the fact that only Marilyn's face is shown. And this is where I find the meaning. In his strange and seemingly "meaningless" (well at least it looks cool I guess) art we're subtly taught to look at, not just Marilyn but, the empty conveyor belt differently. 

For some reason, we have adopted very set categories that award "those deserving" a measured value. Physical beauty, monetary benefit, rarity, or even abnormality (being interesting) are some of these categories. Our lives seem empty if adventures aren't abounding, progression isn't pulling at our fingertips, or our time is not entirely used up in busy pursuits. Yet somehow Warhol broke away. He literally took a soup can and made an intriguing and perhaps even touching piece of art. Beauty in the ordinary, rather Romantic don't you think? Warhol took Marilyn Monroe, one of the most prominent sex symbols of her day, and gave us only her face. A woman with as many different aspects in her life as the colors he gave her, and perhaps she's more than a picture or a beautiful figure, maybe something behind her face . . .

So perhaps we can take a lesson from Andy Warhol. He took a system, an empty conveyor belt of culture, perception, and self-interest and found meaning. As he said, "Isn't life a series of images that change as they repeat themselves?" Everyone, whether linked to the belt of busy-ness or monotony, feels stuck at one point or another. But I suppose the best thing to do is enjoy the small moments, don't focus so much on an envied situation because I can promise that you're simply looking at a different person on a different conveyor belt, and happily ignoring the conveyor-belt part. So regardless of where are you right now, enjoy the ride, find meaning in what you feel is empty, and as Andy Warhol did, give a new color to each new scene. 

-Natalie Cherie