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Robert Mapplethorpe

Art

Mind-Blowing Text Portraits of Famous Musicians and Artists

By Caroline Stanley on

Thanks to My Modern Met, here’s a late addition to the roundup readable art that we posted over the weekend: the lovely text portraits of German photographer Ralph Ueltzhoeffer. Using biographical information about his subjects that’s readily available thanks to the Internet and sites like Wikipedia, he layers white typeface on a black background to recreate their likenesses — a visual nod at the old school DOS input mode. Click through to check out a selection of his surprisingly-detailed (and readable!) portraits of cultural icons like Patti Smith, Ai Weiwei, and David Bowie. … Read More

Photography

10 of Art History's Most Controversial Photographers [NSFW]

By Marina Galperina on

In 1971 Norman Mailer said that “giving a camera to Diane Arbus is like putting a live grenade in the hands of a child.” Lo and behold: Child With Hand Grenade. Even before her suicide that year, Arbus’ magnificent body of work evoked criticism and suspicion of exploitation. She was drawn to the so-called deviants, outsiders, marginalized people, glamorous transvestites, graceful giants, disturbed-looking children, circus performers and of course, twins and subjects with other birth eccentricities. Had she lived, Arbus would have been 89 years old today. In tribute, we’d like to present you with this brief survey of some of the most controversial photographers, contemporary and of recent yesteryear. … Read More

Film

James Franco’s Next Gay Biopic Subject: Robert Mapplethorpe

By Judy Berman on

So, here’s the least surprising news in the world: James Franco, who is in just about every movie being made right now and has already played such real-life gay cultural figures as Allen Ginsberg, Hart Crane, and Harvey Milk’s boyfriend Scott Smith, will star as Robert Mapplethorpe in a new biopic. Called simply… Read More

Photography

Sofia Coppola Curates Intimate Robert Mapplethorpe Exhibition

By Alison Nastasi on

Lost in Translation director Sofia Coppola played the role of guest curator for a Paris exhibition of the late Robert Mapplethorpe’s photographs. Gallery Thaddaeus Ropac partnered with the Mapplethorpe foundation and asked the filmmaker to assemble a new show, pulling from their vast archives. The results are intimate, tender, and evoke the director’s… Read More

Art

Matt Momchilov’s ‘They Really Want You’ Transforms Queer Icons into Punk Legends

By Judy Berman on

Matt Momchilov has been digging around in our subconscious. That was our first thought upon seeing the publicity image for the artist’s new show, They Really Want You, at San Francisco’s Unspeakable Projects: a sculpture of a drag queen dressed as Courtney Love ca. 1994, clutching a studded leather jacket bearing a portrait of Roseanne Barr. Momchilov approaches pop culture through a distinctly queer and countercultural lens; the Roseanne piece is part of a series of leather jackets that replace the expected macho, heterosexual hardcore heroes — Henry Rollins, Ian MacKaye — with his own pantheon of Stevie Nicks, Robert Mapplethorpe, and John Waters. While celebrating these icons, Momchilov is also dramatizing fans’ relationships to the stars they worship. Click through for some highlights from They Really Want You, and if you’re in the Bay Area, be sure to stop by and see the show in person before it closes December 1st. … Read More

Photography

A Look at Patti Smith’s First Major Photography Exhibition, ‘Camera Solo’

By Emily Temple on

Yesterday, Patti Smith’s first major photography exhibition, Camera Solo, opened at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut. Smith opened the show, which boasts 70-odd intimate black and white photographs shot with either a vintage Land 100 or a Land 250 Polaroid camera, a multi-media installation, and a video work, with an hour-long performance that doubled as a birthday salute to Rimbaud, her ultimate muse. Fitting, because many of the gorgeous, misty photographs are inspired by artifacts from some of Smith’s favorite artists, from museums she has visited around the world, and many are from her personal life, making the show as a whole feel like a complex view of her world and the things that inspire her. For those that can’t make it to Hartford, or who just can’t get enough, an accompanying book, Patti Smith: Camera Solo, is also slated to come out at the end of the month. Click through to see a few images from the exhibition, and let us know what you think in the comments. … Read More

Art

Photos of Famous Artists When They Were Young

By Caroline Stanley on

After running features on the childhood photos of both famous writers and rock stars over the past few weeks, it might seem like we’re a bit youth-obsessed at Flavorwire lately. But we promise that that’s not the case. We just think that there’s something fascinating about images of cultural icons snapped long before they’d become household names. It humanizes them a bit. And so, today we turn our focus on the art world — specifically, some of the most influential talents of the past 100 years. Click through to peep photos of everyone from a dashing young Andy Warhol (pictured here) to a breathtakingly adorable baby Yoko Ono. … Read More

Photography

Famous Photographs Remixed as Instagrams

By Marina Galperina on

The concept of the Mastergram Tumblr is simple: “Remarkable photos made better (or worse) using Instagram.” Yet, just the loaded byline alone sends disgruntled shudders up the spines of photography purists while iPhone enthusiasts get giddy with anticipation. There you have it. Celebrated shots by Cindy Sherman, William Eggleston, Robert Mapplethorpe, and more, fed through smoothing, brightening, tinting Instagram effects — the very same technology that makes your most banal shots all pretty and special.

Photographer Andrew Emond investigates: “If the Instagram effect can make mundane images appear to be works of art, what happens when we apply the same filters to images that have historically been held in high regard? Is the imagery degraded or enhanced as a result? Does the effect add a new layer of meaning to the photo? Perhaps these are questions best left resolved by the viewer.” View the manipulated imagery below and see how Nan Goldin’s faded, blue-less bruise makes you feel. … Read More

Film

Just Kids: Casting the Patti Smith Biopic

By Emily Temple on

There’s been much buzz about the newly announced forthcoming biopic based on Patti Smith’s bestselling memoir, Just Kids. We’re as excited as anybody, and like many of you (we imagine), we’ve been spending our off hours turning over possible actors — not only for the roles of Patti and Robert, but their supporting players as well. After all, a film like this, based on real life events and concerning persons still living, as well as depicting characters much beloved in our culture, is going to be pretty hard to cast. Ever the overachievers, we thought we’d take a stab at casting our picks for Patti, Robert, and some of their friends. Click through to see who we chose, and let us know your own feelings (we’re sure you have strong ones) in the comments! … Read More

Art

Self-Portraiture: An Incomplete Visual History

By Emily Temple on

Given that yesterday was what would have been famous portraitist (and self-portraitist) Andy Warhol‘s 83 birthday, we’ve been thinking a little bit about the long history of self-portraiture. Many artists’ first subjects are themselves, which makes some sense, considering the proximity and availability of one’s own face. Often artists’ self portraits differ greatly from the rest of their work, but some trade almost exclusively in the form. Like anything else, the mediums and methods vary widely, but all are fascinating in that they attempt to show an inner part of the artist more directly than any representation of an outside subject could. With that in mind, click through for our very incomplete (how could it not be?) visual history of self-portraiture, and let us know if we’ve missed any of your favorite pieces in the comments! … Read More