DALLAS, Jan 15, 2003 /FW/ -- Sponsored by FEDRIGONI, DSGN, the MONTAIGNE FOUNDATION and SCOLUM PRINTING, INC, and suppored by Global Fashion News, "DECADENCE: From Sleaze to Sublime" aims to reaffirm photography as one of this century's most powerful means of communications.

Some of Nat Finklestein's most acclaimed work from Andy Warhols's "The Factory" as well as current works will be on display in Dallas' historic Deep Ellum district in an upcoming exhibit.

A special press preview of the exhibition is set for January 23rd with a collectors party the following evening. Artist Finklestein and Style Editor Gianna Madrini will be in attendance.

Nat Finklestein was Andy Warhol's court photographer, capturing all the mayhem and sleaze of "The Factory' scene; yet unlike many of his subjects, he lived to tell the tale.

For two years, he lived with Warhol and his associates, recording their activities with his camera.

Like life at a sultan's court, the politics of the factory revolved aorund sexual liaisons - it was its very currency: sex was exhibitionistic and opportunistic.

The show chronicles the decadence of the day, but most of all Warhol himself.

Warhol with Dali, Warhol and Duchamp, Warhhol and the Velvet Underground, Warhol and Balloons, Warhol and Dylan...

Finklestein describes Warhol's circle as, "a speed freak's dream... some of the guests left in limousines, some in ambulances, others never found the door."

Some of Finkelstein's more famous pieces included intimate portraits of Edie Sedgwick and Nico which capture the style and decadence of an unparalleled era in American culture.

Finkelstein sums up the whole experience in one sentence, "I watched ope die, I saw punk born... I came, I saw, I observed, I enjoyed."

His images evoke emotion, whether positive, negative or sexual. His art pops life with vivid color and grabs its viewer with a strong graphs, shaking them between the boundaries of art and reality.

Thusly, Finkelstein's work has been featured at the Whitney Museum in New York, the Palais des Arts in Paris, and most recently, the new Tate Modern in London, among other world class institutions.

Post Warhol, Finkelstein has been credited with the innovation of new photographic medium, the videographic - a unique process that creates a synthesis between traditional photography and modern video imaging technologies.

Since its inception, the medium has been utilized by other artists and has become a viable form of art.

Other post Warhol activities include several books: "The Andy Warhol Index" and "The Factory Years" which serves as Finkelstein's sharp recollection of the Factory, "Girlfriends" and "Merry Monsters."

A number of video installations, and films where Finkelstein documents the most intense rave scenes in New York, London, Tokyo and Amsterdam.

The restrospective beings Thursday, January 23rd, and will continue on display through the end of February at the Global Fashion News offices and gallery, 3005 Commerce St., Dallas, TX.