You Can Now Take a Virtual Tour of Tate Modern’s Andy Warhol Exhibit

Last month, only days after London’s Tate Modern opened its exhibit on Andy Warhol, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the museum to close indefinitely. 

But thankfully, we won’t have to wait long to see the exhibition. We can see it now, and in our pajamas.

On April 6, Tate released a video allowing museumgoers to go on an exclusive online tour of the Andy Warhol exhibit, complete with curators as guides. The seven-minute tour features a look at Warhol’s most popular works, such as “The Marilyn Diptych” and “Campbell’s Soup Cans.” 

The retrospective also sheds light on the eccentric creative’s immigrant beginnings and exploration of sexuality and mortality. According to Tate curators Gregor Muir and Fiontán Moran, the exhibit is a chance for us to get to know the artist beyond the art.

“We wanted to look at Warhol for who he was, taking into account his family’s journey to America from eastern Europe, his queer identity, and the way in which his work would ultimately be informed by death and religion,” they said. “With this in mind, we wanted to look at Warhol afresh.”

While a digital tour can never replicate the feeling of being in an actual museum, the Tate staffers hope that the project will nonetheless bring art and happiness to everyone.

“This is how we deliver Tate’s purpose in an interconnected, digital way,” said Hilary Knight, Tate’s digital director. “It is our responsibility as a cultural institution to pay attention to our audiences and what they need from us, and respond compassionately, generously, and honestly.”

She added: “While it is sad that our museum doors are closed, we can still offer a rich, deep, and inspiring experience of Tate online.”

“Andy Warhol” runs through September 6 at Tate Modern. You can check out their website for reopening details.