Viewing page 2 of 5

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

INTERVIEW WITH ROY LICHTENSTEIN
Artist's Studio, May 20, 1969

Mrs. Elayne Varian: The name of the studio is Fandango. And he is involved in Art Deco. I really Think it would be a marvelous shop to have. Sort of an impersonal thing. 

Mr. Roy Lichtenstein: A lot of people are thinking about it. I think so. There are a lot of decorations of that kind, and I am sure that somebody is going to come up with a show.

E.V.: Well, thought in doing the Art Nouveau Show, some things are at the same time Art Deco. There is a short span in there and I had to not accept some things in there because they were of that period. Mine is 1890, 1910 is the cut off date on Art Nouveau, and the like in the period between 1910 and 1920 there is sort of the beginning of it a little bit, but this is really 1930's. People like Women's Wear Daily kept saying that I was having an Art Deco Show, and I wasn't. And this I guess it's because of that that made me really catch up.

R.L.: Yes, some people call what I am doing, Art Nouveau.

E.V.: Yes, would you mind talking to me a little bit about your relationship with Leo Castelli?

R.L.: No, I wouldn't mind if you would ask me some questions. 

E.V.: When you originally went with him did your work sell immediately or did he help you in some manner?

R.L.: well, there were a lot of people very interested at that time. Leo was interested, there were a lot of people who were very interested. It still took....by the time I had my first show, things were sold, but it wasn't immediate, but it was about as immediate as one could expect.

E.V.: Well, he didn't then necessarily give you a small grant? To live on until your next show or anything?

R.L.: No, I was teaching.

E.V.: I see, and you were able to take care of yourself.

R.L.: I didn't really need it and he does have a great record of underwriting people who aren't wholly independent. I seemed to have sold very well

(MORE)