Artist: Judy Linn/Robert Mapplethorpe
Date: 1960-70
Title: Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith
Robert Mapplethorpe is known for his large black and white portraits, often of nude males. He's known for eliciting controversy with the homo-eroticism and blatant view into the world of BDSM in his work. Disregarding the vast array of metaphors and imagery in his portraits, his photos are often clean and clear cut with their composition.
For me, it was hard to pick between Mapplethorpe and Chuck Close, mostly because I'm a fan of large clean black and white portraits. However, the culture behind the former's is so interesting (and I've already done a project on Close), I was forced to pick him.
I'm struck by the contrast between the severity of the skull necklace and the fragility and vulnerability of his youth and facial expression.
ReplyDeleteOn-line quote about Mapplethorpe's necklaces: "as mapplethorpe fashioned these pieces, he also began working in polaroids. the polaroids, which combine a low-rent, young-resourceful-poor-artist playfulness with the austere, severe and stark symbol-making that would later become his hallmark, is the work that inspires and speaks to me most."
Thanks for the quote. I Agree with you about the contrast. There is a fragility in his work, as subtle as it may be. It think he capture a spontaneity in his work, even while staged, that is refreshing.
DeleteWho is Unknown?
ReplyDeleteYou know this image - i'm pretty sure - is a video still. If I recall from reading Just Kids, by Patti Smith - they did some video collaborations - one in particular where she was wearing a white cloak, but maybe this is a different one. Very expressive image - I found one very similar of patti smith - but having trouble posting it here.
thanks