The Factory was Andy Warhol's studio in New York City -
How it Began
Andy Warhol frustrated with the mess that his artwork was creating at home decided that he needed a dedicated work space. Warhol wanted to find a studio where he would have the space to create unencumbered. A friend of his found an old unoccupied firehouse on East 87th Street. No one was eager to go there, so the rent was only $150 a month.
One Vision - Four Locations
Factory occupied multiple locations from 1963 to 1987 but was always famed for artists, musicians, models and celebrities.
1963-1967 - East 87th Street and 231East 47th Street
1967-1973 - 33 Union Square West
1973-1984 - 860 Broadway
1984-1987 - 158 Madison and 22 East 33rd Street
It became famed for its parties. It was the hip hangout spot for artists, musicians, celebrities and Warhol's superstars. The original Factory was often referred to as the Silver Factory. In the studio, Warhol's workers would make silkscreens and lithographs under his direction. Louis Waldon was one of Warhols Superstars. He stared in many of his films and also worked on the pop icons silkscreens alongside artists like Steve Kaufman.
"It wasn't called the Factory for nothing. It was where the assembly line for the silkscreens happened. While one person was making a silkscreen, somebody else would be filming a screen test. Every day something new." - John Cale, The Velvet Underground
“I try to imagine the creative energy that filled this space. Artist like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kieth Haring, Steve Kaufman, Louis Waldon mingling with musicians like David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Lou Reed and Debbie Harry. This space, these people, all merging to create an unforgettable moment in time. I long for this type of community space."
- Johnny Blanco
The Regulars
Friends of Warhol and "superstars" associated with the Factory included:
George Abagnalo
Paul America
Penny Arcade
Joey Arias
Brigid Berlin
Richie Berlin
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Andy Warhol - Jean-Michel Basquiat
Richard Bernstein
David Bowie
Ava Cherry - David Bowie
Tally Brown
William S. Burroughs
Patrick Tilden Close
Truman Capote
Unknown - Jerry Hall - Andy Warhol - Debbie Harry - Truman Capote - Unknown
Jackie Curtis
Ronnie Cutrone
Andy Warhol - Unknown - Ronnie Cutrone
Joe Dallesandro
Candy Darling
Johnny Dodd
Bobby Driscoll
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Eric Emerson
Danny Fields
Jane Forth
Henry Geldzahler
John Giorno
Catherine Guinness
Jerry Hall
Mick Jagger - Andy Warhol - Jerry Hall
Halston
Halston - Andy Warhol
Bibbe Hansen
Keith Haring
Andy Warhol - Keith Haring
Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry - Andy Warhol
Freddie Herko
Baby Jane Holzer
Victor Hugo
Bianca Jagger
Mick Jagger
Andy Warhol - Mick Jagger
Miro Bartonik
Betsey Johnson
Ray Johnson
Jed Johnson
Brian Jones
Grace Jones
Grace Jones - Keith Haring - Andy Warhol
Steve Kaufman
Steve Kaufman aka "SAK", a nickname from Andy Warhol
Udo Kier
Naomi Levine
Ulli Lommel
Gerard Malanga
Taylor Mead
Liza Minnelli
Liza Minnelli - Andy Warhol
Mario Montez
Paul Morrissey
Herbert Muschamp
Billy Name
International Velvet
Nico
Nico - Andy Warhol
Ondine
Ruby Lynn Reyner
Glenn O'Brien
Anita Pallenberg
Paige Powell
Asha Puthli
Lou Reed
Lou Reed - Andy Warhol
John Cale
Rene Ricard
Keith Richards
Anita Pallenburg - Keith Richards - Unknown
Rotten Rita
Edie Sedgwick
Andy Warhol - Edie Sedgwick
Stephen Shore
Ingrid Superstar
Ultra Violet
The Velvet Underground
Viva
Louis Waldon
Louis Waldon, film star and artist
Chuck Wein
Holly Woodlawn
Mary Woronov
Andy Warhol died in 1987 and so did the Factory, but the legacy carries on. Artists like Jean-Michel Basquait, Keith Haring, Steve Kaufman "SAK" and Louis Waldon all went on to make their mark on the art world. While the music of the Velvet Underground, Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Blondie and Bob Dylan are still on many of our playlists today.
"In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes."
- Andy Warhol
*sources include Wikipedia, Kantor Gallery, Archives NYC, timothyhursley.com and Google images. Please feel free to contact us to remove or update information.