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Ultra Violet (Isabelle Collin Dufresne)
Encyclopedia
Isabelle Collin Dufresne (born 6 September 1935, La Tronche
, Grenoble
, France; stage name Ultra Violet) is a French artist, author and former colleague and superstar
of Andy Warhol
.
. After a meeting with Salvador Dalí
, she became his "muse
” and pupil and then became an artist in her own right. In the 1960s, Dufresne began to follow the progressive American art scene including Jasper Johns
, Robert Rauschenberg
, and James Rosenquist
.
. In 1964 she selected the stage name Ultra Violet at Warhol's suggestion because it was her preferred fashion—her hair color at the time was often violet or lilac. She became one of many "superstars" in Warhol's Factory and played multiple roles in his films. Towards the late 1960s, she was "dethroned" in favor of Viva
, a more recent discovery.
and wrote a book detailing her own ideas about art, “L'Ultratique”.
In 2007 she gave a retrospective lecture at the New York Institute of Technology
in New York City.
She created a series of works of art as her personal tribute to September 11, which were displayed in the exhibit "Memorial IX XI" at Queens Community College, opening on Friday, September 9, 2011.
For the last 15 years Ultra Violet has been a practicing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
La Tronche
La Tronche is a commune in the Isère department in south-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Isère department...
, Grenoble
Grenoble
Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isère. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, Grenoble is the capital of the department of Isère...
, France; stage name Ultra Violet) is a French artist, author and former colleague and superstar
Warhol superstar
Warhol superstars were a clique of New York City personalities promoted by Andy Warhol during the 1960s and early 1970s. These personalities appeared in Warhol's artworks and accompanied him in his social life...
of Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
.
Early life
Isabelle Collin Dufresne was brought up in a strictly religious family but rebelled at an early age. She was instructed at a Catholic school. In 1951 she left France to try her luck in New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. After a meeting with Salvador Dalí
Salvador Dalí
Salvador Domènec Felip Jacint Dalí i Domènech, Marquis de Púbol , commonly known as Salvador Dalí , was a prominent Spanish Catalan surrealist painter born in Figueres,Spain....
, she became his "muse
Muse
The Muses in Greek mythology, poetry, and literature, are the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture, that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths...
” and pupil and then became an artist in her own right. In the 1960s, Dufresne began to follow the progressive American art scene including Jasper Johns
Jasper Johns
Jasper Johns, Jr. is an American contemporary artist who works primarily in painting and printmaking.-Life:Born in Augusta, Georgia, Jasper Johns spent his early life in Allendale, South Carolina with his paternal grandparents after his parents' marriage failed...
, Robert Rauschenberg
Robert Rauschenberg
Robert Rauschenberg was an American artist who came to prominence in the 1950s transition from Abstract Expressionism to Pop Art. Rauschenberg is well-known for his "Combines" of the 1950s, in which non-traditional materials and objects were employed in innovative combinations...
, and James Rosenquist
James Rosenquist
James Rosenquist is an American artist and one of the protagonists in the pop-art movement.-Background and education:...
.
Warhol and the Factory
She eventually came into contact with Andy Warhol and his FactoryThe Factory
The Factory was Andy Warhol's original New York City studio from 1962 to 1968, although his later studios were known as The Factory as well. The Factory was located on the fifth floor at 231 East 47th Street, in Midtown Manhattan. The rent was "only about one hundred dollars a year"...
. In 1964 she selected the stage name Ultra Violet at Warhol's suggestion because it was her preferred fashion—her hair color at the time was often violet or lilac. She became one of many "superstars" in Warhol's Factory and played multiple roles in his films. Towards the late 1960s, she was "dethroned" in favor of Viva
Viva (Warhol superstar)
Viva is an American actress, writer and a former Warhol superstar.-Career:She was born Janet Susan Mary Hoffmann in Syracuse, New York. She was given the name Viva by Andy Warhol before the release of her first film but later used her married last name . She appeared in several of Warhol's films...
, a more recent discovery.
Later career
In the mid 1970s, she published her autobiography, “Famous for 15 Minutes: My Years with Andy Warhol. This autobiography was edited extensively and partially translated from French to English by New York penthouse roommate Natalie Durkee. After a comprehensive review of the book in the New York Times, it was published worldwide. Afterwards, she returned to France; in 1990 she opened a studio in NiceNice
Nice is the fifth most populous city in France, after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, with a population of 348,721 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of more than 955,000 on an area of...
and wrote a book detailing her own ideas about art, “L'Ultratique”.
In 2007 she gave a retrospective lecture at the New York Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology is a private, non-sectarian, co-educational research university in New York City. NYIT has five schools and two colleges, all with a strong emphasis on technology and applied scientific research...
in New York City.
She created a series of works of art as her personal tribute to September 11, which were displayed in the exhibit "Memorial IX XI" at Queens Community College, opening on Friday, September 9, 2011.
Later life
Books
- Isabelle Dufresne/Ultra Violet: Famous for 15 Minutes. My Years With Andy Warhol. English-language edition in paperback. Avon Books, 1990, ISBN 0-380-70843-4
- Isabelle Dufresne/Ultra Violet: Andy Warhol, Superstar. ISBN 3-7857-0535-2 (German, at present only a second-hand example available)
Filmography
- Blackout (1994) .... Arlette
- An Unmarried WomanAn Unmarried WomanAn Unmarried Woman is a 1978 American comedy-drama film that tells the story of the wealthy New York wife Erica Benton whose “perfect” life is shattered when her stockbroker husband Martin leaves her for a younger woman. The film documents Erica's attempts at being single again, where she suffers...
(1978) .... Lady MacBeth - Curse of the Headless Horseman (1974) .... Contessa Isabel du Fren
- Bad Charleston CharlieBad Charleston CharlieBad Charleston Charlie is a 1973 comedy film written by and starring cult actor Ross Hagen and directed by Ivan Nagy. The film, rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America, was distributed by International Cinema Corporation. The film is loosely based on the life and death of 1920s...
(1973) - Savages (1972) .... Iliona, a Decadent
- Believe in Me (1971) .... Patient
- The Telephone Book (1971) .... Whip Woman
- Simon, King of the Witches (1971) .... Sarah
- Taking Off (1971) .... SPFC Member
- Dinah East (1970) .... Daniela
- Brand X (1970) .... Singer
- The PhynxThe PhynxThe Phynx is a 1970 comedy film directed by Lee H. Katzin about a rock and roll band named The Phynx and their mission in foreign affairs. The group is sent to the country of Albania to locate hostages.-Cast:*The Phynx... Themselves...
(1970) .... Felice - Cleopatra (1970)
- MaidstoneMaidstoneMaidstone is the county town of Kent, England, south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town linking Maidstone to Rochester and the Thames Estuary. Historically, the river was a source and route for much of the town's trade. Maidstone was the centre of the agricultural...
(1970) .... Herself - Midnight CowboyMidnight CowboyMidnight Cowboy is a 1969 American drama film based on the 1965 novel of the same name by James Leo Herlihy. It was written by Waldo Salt, directed by John Schlesinger, and stars Dustin Hoffman and newcomer Jon Voight in the title role. Notable smaller roles are filled by Sylvia Miles, John...
(1969) .... The Party - The Secret Life of Hernando Cortez (1969) .... Daughter of Montezuma
- **** (1967)
- I, a ManI, a ManI, a Man is an Andy Warhol film featuring Warhol Superstars Tom Baker, Ivy Nicholson, Ingrid Superstar, Cynthia May, Bettina Coffin, Ultra Violet, Nico, and Valerie Solanas. The latter appeared in the film as compensation for a script she had given to Warhol called Up Your Ass, which he had lost...
(1967) - The Life of Juanita Castro (1965)