The Grand Opening of the American Supermarket
CultureAmerican
DateOctober 1, 1964
MediumPaper
DimensionsFolded: 8 1/2 x 11 in. (21.6 x 27.9 cm)
Unfolded once: 17 x 11 in. (43.2 x 27.9 cm)
Unfolded twice: 17 x 22 in. (43.2 x 55.9 cm)
Unfolded once: 17 x 11 in. (43.2 x 27.9 cm)
Unfolded twice: 17 x 22 in. (43.2 x 55.9 cm)
Credit LineJean Outland Chrysler Library Collection
Object number0.6249
Not on view
DescriptionThis is a poster, mailed out October 1, 1964 by the Bianchini Gallery, New York promoting the opening of the American Supermarket show featuring artists such as Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselman, Roy Lichtenstein, James Rosenquist, and Claes Oldenburg. The mailer unfolds into a 11x17" poster, and unfolds again to double that size. The interior is similar to a grocery store circular, with prices on food items.Label TextAmerican Supermarket This selection of works was exhibited in the groundbreaking 1964 exhibition American Supermarket held at the Bianchini Gallery, 16 East 78th Street, in New York from October 6th to November 7th. Installed to look like an actual supermarket, complete with aisles, stocked shelves, and a checkout counter, real food items were displayed with food-related Pop paintings and sculptures, such as Billy Apple’s Big Mouth and Robert Watts’ sandwiches. Richard Artschwager created the turnstile that visitors passed through to enter the gallery. Campbell’s soup cans signed by Andy Warhol cost $18. Shopping bags silk-screened by Warhol and Lichtenstein cost $12. Although intended as posters for the show, many visitors, caught up in the witty concept of art as a mass consumer experience, used them as shopping bags to carry out their art purchases. More than likely, many of these items were picked up from the exhibition by Walter or Jean Chrysler and carefully saved for posterity. Front row, left to right Attributed to Mary Inman (American) Untitled (Assorted Sandwiches), ca. 1964 Mixed media Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 0.5709.2–.4 Robert Marshall Watts (American, 1923–1988) Untitled (Sandwich), ca. 1964 Mixed media Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 0.5709.1 Middle row, left to right Billy Apple (New Zealander, b. 1935) Big Mouth, 1962 Painted bronze Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.1084 Andy Warhol (American, 1928–1987) Campbell’s Soup Can, ca. 1965 Wood, aluminum and paper Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.1083 Back row Robert Marshall Watts (American, 1923–1988) Untitled (Assorted Eggs and Cartons), ca. 1964 Mixed media Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 0.5709.5–.14 American Supermarket case: Invitation/Mailer for the Grand Opening of American Supermarket, October 1, 1964 New York, Bianchini Gallery Gift of Jean Outland Chrysler 0.6249 Cover for Invitation/Mailer for the Grand Opening of American Supermarket, October 1, 1964 Digital reproduction Bianchini Gallery, New York Life magazine, November 20, 1964 Jean Outland Chrysler Library Collection Andy Warhol (American, 1928–1987) Campbell’s Soup Can Shopping Bag, 1964 Screenprint on paper shopping bag with handles Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.3246 Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923–1997) Turkey Shopping Bag, 1964 Screenprint on paper shopping bag with handles Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.3247 Exhibition History"Remix: A Fresh Look At Our Modern And Contemporary Art Collections," Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia, November 2, 2011 - March 17, 2012.
