SUZANNE TREMBLAY AND THE GERSHWIN HOTEL IN ASSOCIATION WITH VH1
HOSTS “FACTORY CRAZE - A WEEK OF WARHOL”
TO COMMEMORATE LEGENDARY ARTIST ANDY WARHOL

NEW YORK, NY – January 29 – The Gershwin Hotel, in association with VH1, will present “Factory Craze - A Week of Warhol” at its midtown Manhattan location, February 19 to 23, to honor the life and works of legendary pop-artist Andy Warhol on the 20th anniversary of his passing.

Beginning Monday, February 19 from 12:30  to 2:30 p.m., The Gershwin will be the site of an award ceremony honoring the Andy Warhol Superstars including Sally Kirkland, Ultra Violet, Billy Name, Geraldine Smith, Bibbe Hansen, Mary Woronov, Taylor Mead, Robert Heide, Ron Tavel, Ivy Nicholson, Christopher Makos, Holly Woodlawn, Danny Fields, Eric Anderson, David Croland, Harvey Tavel, Sterling Morrison and others. Following the opening ceremony, the hotel will open a week-long art exhibition entitled “Factory Days,” chronicling Andy Warhol’s life and artwork. 

 “Writers on Warhol,” an author’s book fair, will take place during the day on Tuesday, February 20 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Authors including Mary Woronov (Swimming Underground: My Years in the Warhol Factory), Ultra Violet (Famous for Fifteen Minutes) and Victor Bockris (Warhol : The Biography) will be on hand to talk about the Warhol era and sign their books. That evening, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., The New York Times’ John Leland will lead a panel discussion on the Warholian influence on publishing.  Panelists include Paper Magazine Editor-in-Chief Carlo McCormick, Kenneth Goldsmith (I’ll be your Mirror: The Selected Andy Warhol Interviews) and Glenn O’Brien, former editor of Andy Warhol’s Interview Magazine.

The week long tribute continues on Wednesday, February 21 with a special 24 - hour film festival entitled “Warhol & Film: From Underground to Above Ground,” highlighting several of Warhol’s early underground films as well as later theatrical works.  Films scheduled include Vinyl, Warhol’s interpretation of Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange and the classic Chelsea Girls, which Andrew Collins of Britain’s Radio Times recently called a landmark in 20th century cinema and the inspiration for today’s reality TV. In the evening there will be a panel of eminent filmmakers, Warhol film actors and film critics who will discuss Warhol’s movies and their impact on the art of filmmaking.

On Thursday, February 22, the anniversary of the day the legendary artist died, The Gershwin Hotel and the Warhol Factory X Levi’s® collection will be presenting an Andy Warhol fashion show, showcasing the denim leader’s super premium, Warhol-inspired assortment, which incorporates the look, feel and artwork of the Factory era.

Unveiled in the Spring of 2006, the Warhol Factory X Levi’s® line was created to pay homage to the iconography of both the Levi’s® brand and Warhol’s famed lifestyle and career, through an agreement with the Warhol Foundation.  A logical partnership, the Warhol Factory X Levi’s® assortment is an ideal pairing of two internationally known, pioneering icons. Warhol was the preeminent American artist of the 20th Century—and an avid wearer of the original 501® jean—where as Levi Strauss & Co. invented the blue jean in 1873. The Warhol Factory X Levi’s® collection couples imagery of the avant-garde artist’s famous artwork—such as his depictions of Marilyn Monroe—with the latest in denim design. The Warhol fashion show will present the Warhol Factory X Levi’s® line along with other Warhol-inspired fashion including:  Seiko Watches, Royal Elastic Shoes, Robert Lee Morris Jewelry and Loop Bags.

A Week of Warhol concludes on Friday, February 23 with a Silver Factory Ball  featuring poetry readings by Taylor Mead, performances by violinist Walter Steding, performance - artist Penny Arcade and surprise musical guests.

“The Gershwin Hotel has the mandate to keep pop-culture art alive, filling every crevice of every floor with art,” said Suzanne Tremblay, owner of The Gershwin Hotel. “We therefore feel it is our obligation to appropriately celebrate the life of Andy Warhol.”

The Gershwin Hotel (www.gershwinhotel.com) is located in the middle of Manhattan on East 27th Street and Fifth Avenue and offer a wide range of accommodations and services for aspiring artists, global nomads and creative international travelers. Adorned with the artwork of famous artists from Andy Warhol to Stefan Lindfors to Banks Clayton, The Gershwin Hotel has a mission to keep the work of pop-culture artists alive.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 90 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, and VSPOT, VH1’s broadband channel. Connect with VH1 at www.VH1.com.

Press enquiries to Beth Heller at 5W Public Relations (bheller@5wpr.com).