Robert Mapplethorpe, 1946-1989, is the 20th century photographer known for his tough, eroticised black and white photography featuring flowers, Polaroids, porn stars, people, S&M, subcultures, self-portraiture and kindred spirit Patti Smith. Until
Who? Robert Mapplethorpe, 1946-1989, is the 20th century photographer known for his tough, eroticised black and white photography featuring flowers, Polaroids, porn stars, people, S&M, subcultures, self-portraiture and kindred spirit Patti Smith. Until June 18, the artist is celebrated at New York's Sean Kelly Gallery through uniquely curated show 50 Americans.
What? 50 Americans of diverse ages, races, backgrounds, each from a different US state, were invited to select their favourite Mapplethorpe artwork from an archive of over 2,000 images, choosing pieces that personally resonated with them in some way. Participants were gathered through internet advertising, cold calling and word of mouth, ranging in ages from their 20s to over 100-years-old, with occupations including a rancher, business analyst, salesperson, rabbi and IT engineer.
Why? Over the last few years, the Mapplethorpe foundation has invited creatives such as Sterling Ruby, Robert Wilson and Cindy Sherman to curate their own RM exhibits at leading galleries across the world, and a book, MX7, has even been published in celebration, cementing these new edits and interpretations of Mapplethorpe's oeuvre. In 2011, it makes sense that New York's Sean Kelly Gallery, which represents the artist's estate, should take the concept, embrace (metaphorically) today's you-make-the-show zeitgeist – American Idol has Got Talent whilst Dancing With The Stars, et al – and give the public the power to produce a new, democratic vision of the artist's catalogue. Without karaoke or a premium phone line in sight. 50 Americans thus provides not only a compelling, latent, snapshot of the views, values, preoccupations and desires of contemporary America, but also presents another new perspective on the legacy of one of the greatest artists of the last 100 years, whose work was strongly steered by the social, cultural and political agendas of his time.
Robert Mapplethorpe: 50 Americans is at the Sean Kelly Gallery, New York and runs until June 18.
Text by Dean Mayo Davies