Jed Johnson (designer)

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Jed Johnson
Born(1948-12-30)December 30, 1948
Alexandria, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedJuly 17, 1996(1996-07-17) (aged 47)
TWA Flight 800, East Moriches, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film director, designer
Partner(s)Andy Warhol (1968–1980)
Alan Wanzenberg (1980–1996)
RelativesJay Johnson (brother)

Jed Johnson (December 30, 1948 – July 17, 1996) was an American interior designer and film director. The New York Times hailed Johnson as "one of the most celebrated interior designers of our time."[1]

Initially hired to sweep floors at artist Andy Warhol's Factory, Johnson moved in with Warhol after he was shot to help him recuperate, and they subsequently had a romantic relationship for 12 years.[2] Johnson rose through the ranks at The Factory from assisting director Paul Morrissey to directing a film on his own. He edited several films, including Trash (1970), Heat (1972), and Blood for Dracula (1974), and he directed the film Bad (1977) before starting a decorating business. Johnson was a member of the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board following Warhol's death.

Johnson was known for his signature American Empire style when decorating. His clients included Mick Jagger, Pierre Bergé, Yves Saint Laurent, and Barbra Streisand. Johnson had become one of the most acclaimed interior designers when he was killed in a plane crash aboard TWA Flight 800 in 1996.[3] He was posthumously inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame and Architectural Digest named him as one of "The World's 20 Greatest Designers of All Time."[4] In 2005, Rizzoli published the book Jed Johnson: Opulent Restraint, a monograph and remembrance by his twin brother Jay Johnson.

Life and career[edit]

Early life[edit]

Jed Johnson was born in Alexandria, Minnesota on December 30, 1948. He was the fourth of six children, born 15 minutes after his fraternal twin brother Jay Johnson.[5] When he was ten, Johnson's family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona before settling in Fair Oaks, California.[6] His father was a physician and an amateur pilot with his own airport.[6] Johnson dated journalist Joan Lunden in high school and they remained lifelong friends.[7][8][9] Johnson graduated from Bella Vista High School in 1967.[5][10]

Johnson briefly attended American River College in Sacramento, California before hitchhiking to New York City with his brother Jay in 1967.[6][11] They found an apartment in the East Village, Manhattan through a heroin addict, got mugged, and lost their last $200.[12] They were offered a job at Western Union when they went to collect money their mother had sent them.[13]

Warhol years[edit]

In 1968, Johnson delivered a telegram to the Decker building where artist Andy Warhol had recently relocated The Factory.[14] Johnson accepted an on-the-spot job offer by director Paul Morrissey to sweep floors among other duties of a custodian.[14] Shortly after, Warhol loaned Johnson money for a deposit to move into an apartment in a safer neighborhood on East 17th Street and Irving Place.[6][13]

Johnson was present when Warhol was shot by Valerie Solanas at The Factory in June 1968.[15] Johnson traveled to the hospital in the ambulance with Warhol and would visit him daily.[6] After Warhol was release from the hospital, Johnson moved into his townhouse at 1342 Lexington Avenue to become his caregiver and to look after his mother Julia Warhola.[16] During Warhol's recovery, a romantic relationship ensued and Johnson came to "fill the traditional role of a devoted young spouse."[17] Johnson became an integral part of Warhol's inner circle, traveling with the artist, and assisting him and Morrissey with their films.[14]

Johnson assisted Morrisey on the film Flesh (1968), and he taught himself how to edit film on The Factory's Moviola.[18] He edited the films Trash (1970), Heat (1972), L'Amour (1972), Flesh for Frankenstein (1973), and Andy Warhol's Dracula (1974).[19][20] Johnson made his directorial debut with Bad (1977) starring Carroll Baker.[21] Although it was a commercial failure, Johnson maintained that it was a good film, as did Morrissey, but he felt in over his head.[22][23] Johnson abandoned filmmaking and began buying and selling antiques.[24]

In 1977, Johnson and Warhol's relationship began to deteriorate, spurred on by Warhol's partying and his friendship with Victor Hugo.[25] Johnson, who was not comfortable with the Studio 54 crowd, recalled: "When Studio 54 opened things changed with Andy. That was New York when it was at the height of its most decadent period, and I didn't take part. … I was always really shy and had a really hard time socially anyway, and I didn't like the people. Andy was just wasting his time, and it was really upsetting. … He just spent his time with the most ridiculous people."[24][26]

Johnson also suffered from depression which was exacerbated by Warhol being emotionally distant.[27] "I knew Andy for twelve years ... He never talked about anything personal to me ever," said Johnson.[24] Johnson attempted suicide twice during their relationship, in 1970 and 1978.[28][29] Johnson had aspirations to become a pilot and had paid for flying lessons but due to his suicide attempt, he was unable to obtain his license.[28] Eventually, he moved out of Warhol's home in December 1980.[30][31][6] After their split, they shared custody of their two dachshunds, Archie and Amos.[32][33]

In 1982, Warhol amended his will to exclude Johnson.[34] His manager Fred Hughes remained the executor and Vincent Fremont, The Factory manager, replaced Johnson as the backup executor.[34] In 1995, Johnson became a member of the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board, which was a private corporation that certified the authenticity of works by Warhol.[35]

During his relationship with Warhol, Johnson amassed several of his paintings.[36] His collection included Silver Elvis, Front and Back Dollar Bills, Mao, Flowers, and other assorted signed Warhol silkscreens which his twin brother Jay Johnson inherited after his death.[37][38][39] Warhol also created portraits of Johnson and their dachshunds.[40]

Design career[edit]

From 1974 to 1980, Johnson lived with Andy Warhol at 57 E 66th St in Lenox Hill. Johnson chose this townhouse for Warhol and decorated the interiors.

In 1974, Johnson picked out a townhouse for Warhol at 57 East 66th Street in Manhattan.[41] Johnson had enjoyed organizing and decorating Warhol's Lexington Avenue townhouse so when they moved to a larger residence he was put in charge of designing its interiors.[42][43] Johnson drew inspiration from his travels with Warhol over the years and was "greatly influenced by the quality of furniture and collections he saw and by the style with which they were displayed."[44][22] Johnson expanded Warhol's growing collections and experimented with three different styles: Neoclassical, Art Deco, and Victorian.[5] In contrast to The Factory which had an open-door policy, Warhol allowed few people into his home.[5] Art collector Stuart Pivar, a friend of Johnson and Warhol's, said, "Jed built period rooms of such refinement and perfection. The level of quality in that house had no equal."[45] "Jed influenced Andy to appreciate fine old things. It probably influenced Andy towards the classical theme of art," he added.[45]

In 1977, Johnson started a decorating business with Judith Hollander, which he ran from a room in the house.[46][47] His connection with Warhol helped him build a network of celebrity clients.[6] Johnson became close friends with art collectors Sandra Brant and Peter Brant.[1] In 1978, Johnson and Hollander decorated Peter Brant and Joe Allen's office building in Greenwich.[47] Johnson purchased a house with the Brants in Colorado in the late 1970s.[48] Johnson also decorated their White Birch Farm in Greenwich after its completion in 1983.[49]

One of Johnson's early commissions was decorating French businessman Pierre Bergé's apartment at The Pierre hotel in New York City.[6][50] He collaborated with architect Peter Marino on this project.[51] Johnson's business with Hollander quickly became successful. They designed Yves Saint Laurent's New York headquarters with architect Michael Hollander in 1979.[52]

While Johnson's relationship with Warhol was disintegrating, he grew closer to architect Alan Wanzenberg in 1980.[53][54] Wanzenberg worked at I.M. Pei in New York.[55] They were introduced by a mutual friend, art dealer Thomas Ammann, and became collaborators which developed into a romantic relationship.[56] In December 1980, Wanzenberg moved into Johnson's apartment on West 67th Street.[30][6] In 1982, they co-founded a design company, which they ran jointly until they created their separate entities—Jed Johnson & Associates and Alan Wanzenberg Architect.[12][37] However, they continued to collaborate on projects together such as creating the Interview magazine offices.[19][55] In 1991, Johnson and Wanzenberg participated in Metropolitan Home magazine's ShowHouse benefit for the Design Industries Foundation for AIDS (DIFFA).[57][58]

Johnson's firm attracted high-profile clients, including Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall, Barbra Streisand, Richard Gere, Carl Icahn, and the Sperone Westwater gallery for which he created a new exhibition space.[43][59] Johnson was noted for his generosity and he would also send furniture to friends who could not afford his services.[43]

Despite not having a design background or any formal training, Johnson had a natural eye for detail.[59] Architecture critic Paul Goldberger wrote for Architectural Digest:

Johnson … had the eye of a connoisseur and the compositional gift of an artist. His rooms were assemblages of splendid pieces, set in sensual wholes. He was as interested in fabric and texture as in mass and shape, which is why he could hang a Cy Twombly painting on eighteenth-century Chinese wallpaper or a Venetian-glass chandelier next to a huge nineteenth-century Irish scagliola urn. It was not the cleverness of the combination that intrigued Johnson; it was the way the shapes and the textures played off each other.[60]

For several years, Johnson was not aware of other designers' work, but by the mid-1980s he was paying attention to other people's work.[22] Specifically, he admired the work of Renzo Mongiardino, Jacques Grange, Patrick Naggar, Peter Marino, Stephen Sill, and Philippe Starck.[22]

Following Johnson's death, the name of his company was changed from Jed Johnson & Associates to Jed Johnson Associates in 1997. His protégé Arthur Dunnam was appointed to lead the studio as design director.[37] In 2016, the company's name was changed to Arthur Dunnam for Jed Johnson Studio.[37]

Death[edit]

On July 17, 1996, Johnson was traveling to Paris on a shopping trip to find antiques for a client's home.[5] He was killed at age 47 along with 229 other passengers and crew members aboard TWA Flight 800 when the plane exploded off the coast of Long Island, New York during a flight departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport.[61] As a passenger in first class, Johnson was killed instantly.[5] His body was one of the first recovered a mile from the crash scene in the Atlantic Ocean.[5]

Johnsons' longtime friend Joan Lunden, former co-host of Good Morning America, eulogized him on air.[62] She spoke of their friendship and shared a photo of Johnson with Alan Wanzenberg, and expressed her condolences.[62] She referred to Wanzenberg as his domestic partner, which drew praise from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation because Wanzenberg was referred to as Johnson's business partner in initial reports.[62]

Johnson's family and friends such as writer Fran Lebowitz, and art collector Stuart Pivar released statements following his death.[5][45][1] Interview magazine's editor-in-chief Ingrid Sischy remembered the life of her friend in the Winter 1996 issue.[19]

A 4-year investigation revealed that an explosive mixture of fuel vapor and air in a fuel tank caused a short circuit, which was the likely cause of the accident.[63] As a result, new prerequisites were created to prevent future gas tank blasts in airplanes.[63]

Legacy[edit]

In 1996, Johnson was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame.[64] House & Garden magazine dedicated an issue to him and Architectural Digest ran a five-page photo layout of his work.[5]

In 2005, Rizzoli published the book Jed Johnson: Opulent Restraint, a monograph documenting his career. Organized by his brother Jay Johnson, the book has contributions by architecture critic Paul Goldberger, former Interview editor Bob Colacello, Yves Saint Laurent co-founder Pierre Berge, and former Interview co-owner Sandra Brant. A celebratory re-edition of the book was released in 2023.[49]

In 2006, Johnson's brother Jay Johnson created Jed Johnson Home, which provides luxury textiles for interior use to designers and architects.[29]

In 2010, Johnson was named by Architectural Digest as one of "The World's 20 Greatest Designers of All Time."[4]

In 2022, Johnson's relationship with Warhol was explored in the Netflix docuseries The Andy Warhol Diaries.[29]

Filmography[edit]

Director

Associate Producer

Cinematographer

  • Women in Revolt (1971)
  • L'Amour (1972)

Editor

Bibliography[edit]

  • Gopnik, Blake (2020). Warhol. New York: Ecco. ISBN 9780062298393.
  • Johnson, Jay (2005). Jed Johnson: Opulent Restraint, Interiors. New York: Rizzoli. ISBN 9780847827145.
  • Warhol, Andy; Hackett, Pat (1989). The Andy Warhol Diaries. New York: Warner Books. ISBN 9780446514262.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Goldberger, Paul (July 25, 1996). "Jed Johnson: Grace interrupted". New York Times. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  2. ^ Sippell, Margeaux (March 9, 2022). "Andy Warhol Diaries Director Says Artist's Love Life 'Had a Real Impact'". MovieMaker. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  3. ^ EXPLOSION ABOARD T.W.A. FLIGHT 800: VICTIMS;Lives of Beauty and Business, Sports and Scholarship, Youth and Age
  4. ^ a b "The World's 20 Greatest Designers of All Time". Architectural Digest. January 2010. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Bojorquez, Jennifer (December 17, 1996). "Treasured Moments". The Sacramento Bee. pp. E1, E5. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Callahan, Temo; Cashin, Tom, eds. (2005). Jed Johnson: Opulent Restraint, Interiors. New York: Rizzoli. ISBN 978-0-8478-2714-5.
  7. ^ "Honeymooners, families, professionals". Tampa Bay Times. July 19, 1996. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  8. ^ "A message from Joan Lunden". ACCESS. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  9. ^ Warhol & Hackett 1989, p. 366Entry date: March 26, 1981
  10. ^ Brown, Mareva (July 19, 1996). "Mom's Tragic Instinct: Son was Aboard Plane". The Sacramento Bee: A1, A14.
  11. ^ Colacello, Bob (2014). Holy Terror: Andy Warhol Close Up. Vintage Books. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-8041-6986-8.
  12. ^ a b Hamilton, William L. (November 10, 2005). "The Surviving Twin, Rearranging the Furniture". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Nevins, Jake (May 10, 2023). "Jay Johnson Remembers the Quiet Luxury and Kindness of His Brother Jed". Interview Magazine. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Cooper, Richard T.; Baum, Geraldine (July 19, 1996). "Tragedy Cries Out for Explanation". Los Angeles Times.
  15. ^ Spencer, Samuel (March 10, 2022). "When and Why Andy Warhol Was Shot". Newsweek. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  16. ^ Gopnik 2020, p. 647.
  17. ^ Gopnik 2020, p. 646.
  18. ^ Warhol & Hackett 1989, p. xi.
  19. ^ a b c Macias, Ernesto (March 21, 2022). "Meet Jed Johnson, the Man Who Stole Andy Warhol's Heart". Interview Magazine. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  20. ^ Thomas, Kevin (December 25, 1970). "Trash' an Urban Odyssey"". The Los Angeles Times. pp. Part IV, p. 27. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  21. ^ "Andy Warhol Starts Filming". The Desert Sun. May 29, 1976. pp. A14. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  22. ^ a b c d Viladas, Pilar (March 1991). "The Education of Jed Johnson". Home & Garden. 163 (3): 120–124.
  23. ^ Yacowar, Maurice (May 28, 1993). The Films of Paul Morrissey. Cambridge University Press. p. 23. ISBN 978-0-521-38993-8.
  24. ^ a b c Bockris, Victor (1989). The life and death of Andy Warhol. Internet Archive. New York: Bantam Books. pp. 271, 303. ISBN 978-0-553-05708-9.
  25. ^ Mooallem, Stephen (March 15, 2022). "Andy Warhol Tells All From the Grave". The Village Voice. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  26. ^ Gopnik 2020, p. 833.
  27. ^ Gopnik 2020, p. 834.
  28. ^ a b Gopnik 2020, p. 649.
  29. ^ a b c "'The Andy Warhol Diaries' explores how the iconic artist was shaped by his great loves". NBC News. March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Warhol & Hackett 1989, p. 353Entry date: December 26, 1980
  31. ^ Warhol & Hackett 1989, p. 372Entry date: April 16, 1981
  32. ^ Warhol & Hackett 1989, p. 422Entry date: December 24, 1981
  33. ^ Warhol & Hackett 1989, p. 620Entry date: December 9, 1984
  34. ^ a b Fraser-Cavassoni, Natasha (2017). After Andy: Adventures in Warhol Land. New York: Blue Rider Press. p. 195. ISBN 978-0-399-18353-9.
  35. ^ Shnayerson, Michael (2003). "Judging Andy". Vanity Fair. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  36. ^ Petkanas, Christopher (June 1992). "Poetic License". Harper's Bazaar: 121–122.
  37. ^ a b c d Kellogg, Craig (July 27, 2017). "Arthur Dunnam Carries Jed Johnson Associates into a New Era".
  38. ^ "Contemporary Art Evening Sale -Self-Portrait by Andy Warhol". Sotheby's.
  39. ^ "Contemporary Art Evening Auction - Front and Back Dollar Bills by Andy Warhol". Sotheby's.
  40. ^ Wrbican, Matt (2009). Andy Warhol Treasures. London: Goodman. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-84796-004-7.
  41. ^ Alexander, Paul (1994). Death and Disaster: The Rise of the Warhol Empire and the Race for Andy's Millions. Villard Books. p. 45. ISBN 0-679-43273-6.
  42. ^ Gopnik 2020, p. 784.
  43. ^ a b c Goldberger, Paul (July 25, 1996). "Jed Johnson: Grace interrupted". New York Times. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  44. ^ Aronson, Steven M.L. (January 10, 1988). "Andy Warhol's Possession Obsession". The San Francisco Examiner, This World. p. 7. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  45. ^ a b c "The Exposition on Flight 800: Final Passages". Newsday (Nassau Edition). July 19, 1996. p. 9. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  46. ^ AnOther (July 9, 2018). "Why We're Fascinated by the Contents of Andy Warhol's Bathroom Cabinet". AnOther. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  47. ^ a b Warhol & Hackett 1989, p. 65Entry date: August 30, 1977
  48. ^ Warhol & Hackett 1989, p. 250Entry date: December 21, 1979
  49. ^ a b "How Interior Designer Jed Johnson Bridged Pop and Classic". Town & Country. May 3, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  50. ^ Mason, Christopher (November 18, 2004). "On 38th Floor, a $9 Million Sample Sale". Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  51. ^ Tyrnauer, Matt (December 31, 2011). "Architect Peter Marino's Edgy Style". Architectural Digest. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  52. ^ "Sleek Revival". Progressive Architecture. 60 (9): 162. September 1979.
  53. ^ Warhol & Hackett 1989, p. 293Entry date: June 21, 1980
  54. ^ Warhol & Hackett 1989, p. 317Entry date: August 20, 1980
  55. ^ a b Arango, Jorge S. (April 16, 2014). "Alan Wanzenberg's Life in Design". 1stDibs Introspective. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  56. ^ Warhol & Hackett 1989, p. 341Entry date: November 8, 1980
  57. ^ "Jed Johnson / Alan Wanzenberg". Metropolitan Home. 23 (9): 98–102. September 1991.
  58. ^ Slesin, Suzanne (March 7, 1991). "Non-Designer Show House to Toast Absent Friends". The New York Times.
  59. ^ a b "Jed Johnson: A Zeal for Mission". House & Garden. 160 (4): 98–99. April 1988.
  60. ^ Goldberger, Paul (December 31, 1999). "Design Legends: Jed Johnson". Architectural Digest. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  61. ^ "The Numbers". The Advocate (715). Here Publishing: 14. September 3, 1996. ISSN 0001-8996.
  62. ^ a b c Conkin, Dennis (July 25, 1996). "Northern California Gay Men Among TWA Victims". Bay Area Reporter. 26 (30): 1, 31.
  63. ^ a b Zuckerman, Laurence (August 24, 2000). "Board Approves Final Report on Crash of T.W.A. Flight 800". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  64. ^ "Interior Design Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on April 23, 2008. Retrieved April 22, 2008.

External links[edit]

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