BRIGID BERLIN | 'Blue TV'

a unique album comprised of 66 Polaroid Polacolor prints in mylar sleeves, 1969. Royal Octavo, decorative gilt leatherette with post binding, titled, dated, and inscribed 'For David Croland, Love Brigid Polk, 2/10/78' in ink on the pastedown

Gift of the artist, 1978

This album of unique Polaroid Polacolor prints is in generally excellent condition. The overall color of each print remains an electric shade of blue, with no apparent fading. The prints are in mylar album sleeves, 3 prints per page. When the prints are examined very closely in raking light out of their sleeves, insignificant superficial surface scratches that are inherent to processing are visible occasionally. There is very minor soiling on the baby blue leatherette album covers and faint age-darkening at the edges of the pastedown. Wear to the album is primarily along the spine, which is intact but splitting along the front and rear covers.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The daughter of socialite parents, Brigid Berlin grew up in a world of Manhattan privilege. She moved to the Chelsea Hotel in the early 1960s and met Andy Warhol when she went to the Factory for the first time in 1964. They became close friends and Berlin appeared in several of Warhol's films, including 'Chelsea Girls' (1966) and 'Ciao! Manhattan' (1972).  Both artists shared an interest in videotape recording, the camera, and documentation; throughout the nineteen-sixties and seventies, both artists took compulsive snapshots of those who moved within their social circle.  These distinctly un-posed, dynamic photographs are some of the most interesting documents of the Warhol and downtown scenes. This album of psychedelic, blue-hued Polaroid 360 prints is comprised of televised images and portraits (including some of Warhol), and shows not only Berlin’s obsession with documenting every day occurrences but also the fascination with television culture by the artists in Warhol’s circle. 

Berlin gave the album to her friend, model David Croland, and inscribed it ‘Love Brigid Polk’; she was given this nickname because of the 'pokes' - injections of Vitamin B and amphetamines - she liked to give herself and others.