Wednesday, 3 December 2014

Mapplethorpe Video Notes

Robert Mapplethorpe
  • Born in 1946 in New York
  • Died in 1989 of HIV
  • Patty Smith was his life long friend whom he met at an institute of art
  • Mapplethorpe is mainly known for his portraits
  • Some of his work has been used as album artwork
  • His photos are mainly in black and white
  • He was part of Manhattan's gay community but was raised as a Catholic
  • Known as American's most controversial photographer because is his work art or is it pornography?
  • Mapplethorpe challenges the limits of acceptability for his work are touching and revealing
  • Despite the content of the photographs being controversial, they are very high quality but simple
  • His work manages to capture the individual through simple shots that give them 'edge'
  • Throughout his work, he has focused on portraiture and still life

  • He focused on still life to make money and explore the different effects lighting had on the scenes
  • "His photos show the struggle between good and evil, heaven and earth"
  • Throughout his work there is a sense of humour present
  • His work is rather expensive as it captures a moment that no one is familiar with
  • Mapplethorpe has desire to be unique in himself and through his work
  • His photos shows sexual violence and some show personal experiences
  • The portraits he took were natural, there was no set up, the photos were right for the moment
  • Mapplethorpe's photographs were of the time he lived in

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