On 5/29/10 3:01 AM, Chris Jones wrote:
> I was asked a question on Maplethorpe. Sorry, not able to reply much
> except to say M appropriates a classic style as a critical form. It
> could be like the use of mimesis as critique. I saw his retrospective in
> Sydney and it is hard not to be impressed. Also connected to Andy
> Warhol, so we are getting into areas which many still find difficult,
> esp given the critical forces involved.
>
> have chronic fatigue syndrome so may be delayed in reply or brain fog weird
>
> just to let you know that's all, Chris Jones.
>
> Blog: http://abdevpoetics.blogspot.com/
>
I became aware of Mapplethorpe in the middle '80s around the time of The
Scandals and the widely disseminated information that he was dying of
complications of AIDS. When he finally died in early 1989, the guardians
of public morality on a rec.arts.uselessnet bulletin board had three
basic reactions: That poor man, we've lost a genius; if you play with a
loaded gun you'll get shot; and, fuckin' poof got what he deserved so
tough shit.
My feeling? He was among the greatest camera artist/portraitists whose
work I ever saw and I don't give a damn if the work was of flowers,
Patti Smith, or or black men sporting the equavalent of rubber hoses.
The work seemed consistent and posed for its statuary value.
My uninformed opinion plus my decataracted eyes.
Ken
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