I was in Cincinnati when the infamous exhibit came through. Mapplethorpe was an extraordinary photographer - without having to see the controversial photos. But, of course, we all went into the separate room where those were. The prints were like 4x6 and smaller , lined up in the bottom of display cases at last 18 inches deep which were covered in glass, and unless you knew what you were looking at…
I don’t know if Maplethorpe would really have made it as a respected photographer and artist and now we (and he) will never know. He was extraordinary at publicity and selling himself. A cold clear view of what gets everyone excited and zero sense of shame or personal responsibility. He helped himself at the expense of the reputation every other artist out there by lowering the public opinion of art and helping to reduce the idea of exhibits to crass shock value. Every artist now out there has to fight his ugly reputation for seeking the lowest common attractor and going for shock to get attention.
Maplethorpe is a highly respected photographer. It’s just that some people don’t like his subject matter.
In 1990 or so just after or during the flap about his show some fool at the art teacher’s magazine, Art Education published by the National Art Education Association featured a series of little art prints suitable, they said, for display int the classroom. One of their less intelligent selections was a print by Maplethorp of a little girl in the part with the light streaming through her dress. It was a perfectly harmless image except that displaying it and having a parent find out would surely get you fired in most districts. I shook my head and let my subscription lapse.
bergamot over 13 years ago
Well that made me google something I never wanted to know about.
Hillbillyman over 13 years ago
Dad and step-mom probably have no clue who either of them are.
lewisbower over 13 years ago
I am so proud that if not for my tax dollar, my kid may have never seen Mapplethorpe.
Barry44 over 13 years ago
I think the exclamation points indicate that they do know who they are.
Charles Brobst Premium Member over 13 years ago
http://www.google.com/search?q=Mapplethorpe&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=A5B&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=8TugTe7XFdL0gAeAh-nZBQ&sa=X&oi=modelink&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CBIQAUoAQ&biw=2510&bih=1282
Dry and Dusty Premium Member over 13 years ago
Well … … …
celeconecca over 13 years ago
I was in Cincinnati when the infamous exhibit came through. Mapplethorpe was an extraordinary photographer - without having to see the controversial photos. But, of course, we all went into the separate room where those were. The prints were like 4x6 and smaller , lined up in the bottom of display cases at last 18 inches deep which were covered in glass, and unless you knew what you were looking at…
Rista over 13 years ago
I don’t know if Maplethorpe would really have made it as a respected photographer and artist and now we (and he) will never know. He was extraordinary at publicity and selling himself. A cold clear view of what gets everyone excited and zero sense of shame or personal responsibility. He helped himself at the expense of the reputation every other artist out there by lowering the public opinion of art and helping to reduce the idea of exhibits to crass shock value. Every artist now out there has to fight his ugly reputation for seeking the lowest common attractor and going for shock to get attention.
laojim over 13 years ago
Maplethorpe is a highly respected photographer. It’s just that some people don’t like his subject matter.
In 1990 or so just after or during the flap about his show some fool at the art teacher’s magazine, Art Education published by the National Art Education Association featured a series of little art prints suitable, they said, for display int the classroom. One of their less intelligent selections was a print by Maplethorp of a little girl in the part with the light streaming through her dress. It was a perfectly harmless image except that displaying it and having a parent find out would surely get you fired in most districts. I shook my head and let my subscription lapse.