Fred McDarrah – One Day at “The Factory”.
Fred W. McDarrah (1926-2007) was an American staff photographer for The Village Voice, famous for documenting the social and cultural phenomena of the New York scene in the pivotal decades of the '50s, '60s, and '70s.
As the sole staff photographer at The Village Voice McDarrah chronicled the downtown world of New York with unrivalled intimacy and access. Many of the artists, musicians, and actors McDarrah photographed were or would become cultural icons: Kerouac, Dylan, Joplin, Steinem, Arbus, Candy Darling, and starting in 1964 – the rising art star Andy Warhol.
Over the ensuing years McDarrah photographed Warhol frequently and when in 1969 Warhol invited him to come to what was known as “The Factory” to photograph the visit of the celebrated photographer Cecil Beaton, it seemed a worthwhile opportunity.
Warhol’s Factory was more than just an art space—it was a cultural hub, a meeting point for artists, musicians, filmmakers, drag queens, socialites, and hangers on. It was here that Warhol transformed not only how artists were viewed, but the very notion of fame itself. Present that day along with Beaton were the Johnson twins – Jed (Andy’s boyfriend), Jay (an up and coming model) - Brigid Polk (an artist and Warhol confidante), and various others who made up what Warhol dubbed his “superstars”.
McDarrah’s keen eye and intimate access allow us a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Warhol’s world—capturing the raw energy, cool look, and distinctive personalities that made The Factory a touchstone of 1960s counterculture.
These images, along with several taken of Warhol at different times over the previous years exhibit McDarrrah’s trademark directness and the immediacy of documentary photography while bringing to life the era's experimental spirit and Warhol’s own enigmatic approach to art , life, and fame