Robert Mapplethorpe (November 4, 1946 – March 9, 1989) was
an American photographer, known for his large-scale, highly stylized black and
white portraits, photos of flowers and nude men. The frank homoeroticism [1] of
some of the work of his middle period triggered a more general controversy
about the public funding of artworks.
[1] Homoeroticism refers to the sexual attraction between
members of the same sex, either male–male or female–female.The concept
differs from the concept of homosexuality: it refers specifically to the desire
itself, which can be temporary, whereas "homosexuality" implies a
more permanent state of identity or sexual orientation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mapplethorpehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homoeroticism
American artist Robert Mapplethorpe pushed the boundaries of photography in both his subject choice and technique. This has led to him often being remembered exclusively for his controversial and often explicit images.
Mapplethorpe became famous, not to say, notorious, in the
1970s and 1980s for his photographs of the male nude and sexually explicit gay
imagery. With these images he tested the right to individual freedom - they
were not meant to be titillating, shocking or obscene, but beautiful in a
traditionally classical way. His work therefore holds a significant place in
the history of artistic struggle to depict the world as it is with honesty and
truth.
In 1988 Mapplethorpe stated: “I don’t like that particular
word ‘shocking.’ I’m looking for the unexpected. I’m looking for things I’ve
never seen before...I was in a position to take those pictures. I felt an
obligation to do them.” Although he is perhaps most associated with these
‘shocking’ works, Mapplethorpe also photographed more traditional subjects such
as flowers (in particular Orchids and Calla Lilies), formal portraits and
classical nudes. His understanding of form and light, and his meticulous
compositions create truly beautiful images that revel in the sensual quality of
nature and the human body.
http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/robert-mapplethorpe-11413/text-artist-rooms-artist-essay
No comments:
Post a Comment