One of the most famous yet enigmatic artists of the 20th century, Andy Warhol has continued to perplex the world long after his death in 1987. But a new Netflix series will attempt to decipher the artist’s own writings in his own voice — well, not exactly his voice.
With Ryan Murphy executive producing and The First Monday in May director Andrew Rossi at the helm, the six-part limited series will chronicle the life of Andy Warhol through the artist’s own writings, published posthumously by Warhol’s diarist and longtime friend, Pat Hackett.
According to the trailer, the series will have Warhol read some of his own words through AI technology, with the Andy Warhol Foundation’s permission. It’s an ethical conundrum that accompanied the Anthony Bourdain documentary, Roadrunner, which also recreated the famous chef’s voice using artificial intelligence.
The Andy Warhol Diaries chronicles Warhol’s childhood in Pittsburgh, his early career as a commercial illustrator, and his emergence to superstardom as the artist who would become synonymous with Pop Art, running his empire from the iconic Factory and changing the art production game. A gay icon in New York from the ’50s and ’60s onwards, Warhol celebrated celebrity while challenging consumerism. The series will examine his relationship with fellow iconic artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, his art, and of course, his shooting by Valerie Solanas — an event Warhol apparently diarised prolifically after surviving.
The Andy Warhol Diaries lands on Netflix on March 9.
