Before They Were Famous: Behind the Lens of William John Kennedy

April 19 – May 29
KIWI Arts Group at site/109 | www.site109.com
109 Norfolk St | New York, NY 10002

Before They Were Famous: Behind the Lens of William John Kennedy features recently unveiled images from the early ‘60s of Andy Warhol and Robert Indiana from the photographer’s personal archives, which laid in storage for nearly 50 years.

The Kennedy collection of silver gelatin and chromogenic photographs, solely published by KIWI Arts Group, reveals some of the only known images of the artists with their original works. After decades in storage, the pristine negatives are now being used to produce these historic images at the same famous NY lab that processed the originals. The New York City premiere marks the realization of a lifelong dream for the 82-year-old Kennedy and an important milestone for this exhibition.

This extraordinary collection of photographs will be presented alongside rare works by Warhol and Indiana, underscoring the historical importance of Kennedy’s images

CALENDAR OF EVENTS, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, SCREENINGS & GUIDED TOURS

Thursday, May 3 | 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. 
Future Famous. An Ephemeral Experience Inspired by Andy Warhol and William John Kennedy, by Komal Kehar and Lullu Brandt, comprises gallery guests, photography, live projections and New York City. Taken at the reception at site/109, portraits will be projected in real time onto walls throughout the city. By invitation only.

Saturday, May 5 | 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
Telling Tales: Warhol’s Friends Tell it Like it Was. Moderated by Eric Shiner, Director of The Andy Warhol Museum. Discussion features Ultra Violet, Taylor Mead and William John Kennedy; sponsored by The Art Dossier.  Seating limited. RSVP required to warhol@kiwiartsgroup.com.

Sunday, May 6 | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
99% Art in The Public Realm: A Tool for Social Change, sponsored by Metropolis Magazine and moderated by Jade Dressler. Panelists include: Lina Srivastava, Jonathan Porcelli, Serena Saitas, Nicholas Coblence, Renata Lopes-Merriam and Philippe Archard. From Susan B. Komen to Kony, public discourse is the art “Happening,” taking to the streets and tweets to affect global change and re-invention. This panel of art and brand experts will review art and current events globally, where public performance and street art is on the rise and how artists, museums, urban interventions, interactive events and media now meet marketing and non-profits to engage audience. (RSVP requested)

Saturday May 12 | 1:00 p.m.
Discovery! A discussion of recognizing and validating the historical and cultural importance of an archive like the WJK Collection or a lost Gauguin. Moderated by Stephen Rosenberg, art advisor, educator and consultant; with Mike Huter, publisher of the William John Kennedy collection; Sandro Bosi of Bosi Contemporary; Steven Kasher, Steven Kasher Gallery; and Pavel Zoubok, Pavel Zoubok Gallery. Sponsored by GalleristNY (RSVP requested)

Saturday, May 19 | 1:00 p.m.
Andy’s Market. Moderated by Judd Tully, art critic and art market journalist. a look at the remarkable sustainability of Warhol prices, and the reasons behind it. Scheduled to follow the May auctions. (RSVP requested)
FILM SCREENINGS of Full Circle: Before They Were Famous
Thursdays at 4:00 p.m.: May 3, 10, 17, 24
Sundays at 3:00 p.m.: April 29 and May 6, 13, 20, 27
(RSVP requested)

GUIDED EXHIBITION TOURS
Wednesdays at noon: May 2, 9, 16, 23
Saturdays at 3:00 p.m.: April 28 and May 12, 19, 26
(RSVP requested)

For press inquiries contact: Dejha@rockawaypr.com
For programming details visit: www.kiwiartsgroup.com.

site/109
109 Norfolk St | New York, NY 10002(between Delancey and Rivington)
Wednesday  -  Sunday 12pm – 6pm
Monday and Tuesday by appointment; contact jeff@kiwiartsgroup.com

@KIWIArtsGroup
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