I went to Guggenheim Museum couple weeks ago , Robert Mapplethorpe’s works are my favorite.
The society might be immoral and full, of immoral people, however, the same society does not want to be reminded of how immoral they are and to what extent have they pushed the limits. Artists have several ways of expressing their feelings and opinions for Robert Mapplethorpe it is no different. He is observed as one of those artists who does not hold back and will go at great lengths to express their opinions the best way they know how.
As the community is more aware today that a decade ago there is a huge debate on visual arts and pornography or sexual related themes. Reading about him, he admits that his work pays homage to desire and he was sexually stimulated while developing male art. He describes his work as pornography in art and ensures that his pieces are sexually stimulating. He style involves homosexuality and Catholic iconography, perhaps is because he was born of Roman parents who were Catholic followers. He is a distinctive artist who uses collaborators in place of subjects. For example Ken Moody and Robert Sherman.
Artist: Robert Mapplethorpe :
Title: Ken Moody and Robert Sherman
Date: 1984: Medium: Gelatin Silver Print
Image: 15 1/8 * 15 3/16 (38.4 * 38.6 cm)
In the above artwork, Mapplethrope continues with his style, which is not only stylish and classical but depicts his homoerotic themes on this piece. He juxtaposes the black and white nude by showing black nudes and white objects which are emphatically placed- that is the other male. He is known for this style of still-life photographs of flowers and in this one, he has the first man closing his eye and the second one open eyes the background is dark highlighting the contrast. One can have the impression that he wanted to show men imperfection but he shows them in a nice polished manner.
PS: Another photographer who is similar to Mapplethrope is Hang Ren, a Chinese artist who suicided because his ‘ outranged’ works brought too much pressure from society. Here is one of his art work.
