The exhibition “Más que Imágenes Alteradas” (“More than Altered Images”) presents twenty of the most personal portraits of Andy Warhol (1928, Pittsburgh - 1987, New York) taken by Christopher Makos (1948, Massachusetts), where gender identity is the central theme. The photographs represent Warhol's portraits dressed as a woman, in which the artist and photographer rework Man Ray's iconic alter ego.  

Christopher Makos was in fact an apprentice of Man Ray. The series presented at the Museum is a selection of 20 portraits from the 346 made in the original session. The influence of Ray's alter ego, Rose Sélavy, is clearly present. The photographs convey a clean atmosphere, with a minimalist composition, all in silver tones, contrasting with the baroque atmosphere of the museum.  

The series presented at the Museum is a selection of 20 portraits from the 346 made in the original session. The influence of Ray's alter ego, Rose Sélavy, is clearly present.

The photographer was a key figure in contemporary art thanks to his modern and raw photographic style. These photographs are considered iconic and pioneering, and anticipate current debates about diversity and non-binary identities. Christopher had the ability to capture the essence of his subjects; examples of this are the photographs he took of the Movida Madrileña or the New York underground scene of the pre-punk, glam rock and punk movements of the 70s and 80s.

These photographs are considered iconic and pioneering, and anticipate current debates about diversity and non-binary identities.

He is one of the most important photographers of the century, who taught Warhol how to use his polaroids and formed a strong friendship with him. This friendship began when Christopher joined the circle of The Factory, and continued with numerous trips they made together. One of these trips is the first time Warhol landed in Madrid, accompanied by Christopher, who years later would immortalize the emerging Pop scene, La Movida Madrileña. He made portraits of Alaska, Pedro Almodóvar or Agatha Ruiz de la Prada.  

This first visit of both meant a key moment in the Spanish Pop culture, giving rise to one of the most enigmatic moments of the “Restoration”, opening Spain to the world and the art market. This visit was due to Warhol's exhibition at the Fernando Vijande Gallery in 1983.  

visit of both meant a key moment in the Spanish Pop culture, giving rise to one of the most enigmatic moments of the “Restoration”, opening Spain to the world and the art market.

The parallel exhibition “Warhol and Vijande” shows more than 30 works by iconic Warhol masterpieces such as the portrait “Mao” from 1975 or “Knives” 1982, which gave its name to the exhibition “Guns, Knives and Crosses”.