"I went into photography because it seemed like the
perfect vehicle for commenting on the madness of today's existence."
Robert Mapplethorpe, Self-portrait, 1975.
It is difficult to write about such a profound and controversial artist like Robert Mapplethorpe. He took immensely beautiful photographs and ones that disturbed many people. He was even taken to court posthumously when curator Dennis Barrie and The Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center were put on trial for pandering obscenity for showing images from his Portfolio X series. For more on the Mapplethorpe censorship controversy: http://www.publiceye.org/theocrat/Mapplethorpe_Chrono.html
Robert Mapplethorpe, Calla Lily, 1984.
To begin understanding and appreciating Mapplethorpe and his works, I would suggest doing 3 things:
1. Look at his works and decide what you think for yourself: http://www.mapplethorpe.org/
2. There is a good documentary on Mapplethorpe and his work (adult viewers) directed by Nigel Finch for the BBC in 1998 (52 min.): http://www.ubu.com/film/mapplethorpe_arena.html
Profile of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, one of the most controversial of American photographers, which accompanied an exhibition of his work at the National Portrait Gallery in the year before he died. Contains interview with Mapplethorpe himself, along with critic and author Edmund White, and with several of Mapplethorpe's subjects.
3. Read Patti Smith's book Just Kids (Nov. 2010, Ecco): http://www.amazon.com/Just-Kids-Patti-Smith/dp/0060936223
-video of her talking about Mapplethorpe around the time the book was published:
May inspiration and creativity be with you!
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