Andy’s World

August the sixth is Andy Warhol’s birthday, so happy birthday, Andy. If only you were still around to enjoy a world where everyone truly is famous for 15 minutes.

You could have appeared on Hoarders, done even more celebrity endorsements than you did in the ’60s, ’70s and early ’80s, been a guest judge on Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model  and walked in New York Fashion Week.

In fact you could have had your own reality TV show; after all you pioneered the idea with Andy Warhol’s TV.  You could have had the best Facebook page (not made by you of course) and millions of followers on Twitter.

You said “I never read, I just looked at pictures”.  For those of us who do both, there’s a lot on you to choose from. Here’s a small selection:

• Andy Warhol 1928 – 1987
• Andy Warhol prints
• Pop life: art in a material world

And my particular favourite:  Andy Warhol, the biography by Wayne Koestenbaum, who gets past the contradictions and reveals the enigma Warhol was.  Do you have a favourite book/memory of Warhol?

Christchurch – this week in history

6 August 1867
Unveiling of the Godley statue in Cathedral Square New Zealand’s first public statue. However, the statue’s inscription acclaiming him “founder of Canterbury” is possibly over generous. Wakefield should at least share the title.

7 August 1982
Opening of City Mall, a major new pedestrian amenity created by the closure of parts of Cashel and High Streets. The project had first been mooted in 1967.

8 August 1989
Christchurch Central MP and Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer appointed as Prime Minister after resignation of David Lange.

9 August 1840
Captain Langlois in the “Compte de Paris” arrives in Pigeon Bay with 63 French settlers.

10 August 1840
Captain Owen Stanley in HMS “Britomart” dashes to Akaroa and raises the British flag to proclaim sovereignty over the South Island.

10 August 1932
Statue of Captain James Cook unveiled in Victoria Square.

11 August 1877
Canterbury Cricket Council formed.

11 August 1923
Christchurch Radio Society begins regular radio transmission with station 3AC.

More August events in our Christchurch chronology.