Absolut Revives Long-Lost Andy Warhol Painting On New Vodka Bottle
Image via The Absolut Group
Absolut Vodka is clinking glasses to artistic treasures with a striking bottle celebrating a recently rediscovered Andy Warhol masterpiece. The release continues a longstanding partnership with the pop art icon, even after death.
In 1985, Warhol created two unique paintings for Absolut. While one featuring a bold and colorful rendition of the Absolut bottle achieved instant classic status, the other, a work simply referred to as Absolut “blue,” remained bottled up in mystery for nearly four decades.
The tides turned in 2020 when the piece resurfaced at an auction. After authentication and verification through the original contract confirming the commission of two paintings, Absolut partnered with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts to create a contemporary tribute.
Image via The Absolut Group
The limited-edition bottle is emblazoned with a multi-layered, screen-printed design inspired by Warhol’s iconic “blue” artwork, vibrant hues dominating the label.
Indivdually crafted by hand, the labels are screen-printed “like Warhol would have back in the 1980s,” retaining the artwork’s intended colors, explains Gavin Boland, Absolut’s global marketing manager.
Image via The Absolut Group
Image via The Absolut Group
To toast to this momentous launch, Amsterdam Airport will host an interactive Absolut Warhol popup store, inviting travelers to have a sip of the artistic narrative. Additionally, a global 3D out-of-home campaign and various retail activations at major airports worldwide will amplify the bottle’s release.
Accompanying the bottle is the Absolut Warhol’s Milk Punch cocktail, a delightful libation inspired by the artist’s well-known sweet tooth and love for cornflakes. A QR code on the bottle unlocks an immersive experience, providing curious consumers with the recipe and a glimpse into the world of this unique cocktail.
Image via The Absolut Group
Starting this September, the latest-edition Absolut Warhol bottle will roll out to airport retail stores in over 50 markets worldwide. For a final buzz, the actual painting itself will be unveiled at Stockholm's Spritmuseum during the Andy Warhol, Money On The Wall exhibition curated by Dr Blake Gopnik on October 17.
[via Hypebeast, Shots, Little Black Book, images via The Absolut Group]
