From Jackson’s description of Robert Mapplethorpe’s, I was surprised but also intrigued by the life of this photographer. Mapplethorpe’s focus on nude subjects which he described as “pornographic” was likely not common during his lifetime. He described his own work as aiming to arouse his viewers and this showed how his work was likely very unique, and for this reason still famous today. He focused much of his photography on celebrities and people of importance in his life, which I feel showed his own perception of art through the people around him. I was also very interested in his Mapplethorpe Foundation which not only focuses on his photography, but works to fight the battle against AIDS/HIV. I think that this type of an organization truly embodies the life of Mapplethorpe and associates his name with a valiant cause. Jackson did a great job with describing the life of Robert Mapplethorpe and his often controversial yet highly regarded artwork.
When I began reading Jackson’s paper on Robert Mapplethorpe, I was initially shocked by the subjects that Mapplethorpe chose for his work. For someone who grew up practicing Roman Catholicism in Queens, the turn of events throughout his career is quite astonishing. However, it is evident that Mapplethorpe’s personality and sexual orientation eventually dictated his artistic career. While he held blunt opinions on the nude subjects of his photographs, Mapplethorpe was consistent throughout his work, which eventually brought him recognition. Lastly, Mapplethorpe’s charity was also a significant aspect of his artistic career. It seems that starting the foundation was something especially meaningful to him, because it would stand to represent his artwork, and the causes that he cared about personally. To me, this foundation highlights the relationship between the two throughout Mapplethorpe’s career.
From Jackson’s description of Robert Mapplethorpe’s, I was surprised but also intrigued by the life of this photographer. Mapplethorpe’s focus on nude subjects which he described as “pornographic” was likely not common during his lifetime. He described his own work as aiming to arouse his viewers and this showed how his work was likely very unique, and for this reason still famous today. He focused much of his photography on celebrities and people of importance in his life, which I feel showed his own perception of art through the people around him. I was also very interested in his Mapplethorpe Foundation which not only focuses on his photography, but works to fight the battle against AIDS/HIV. I think that this type of an organization truly embodies the life of Mapplethorpe and associates his name with a valiant cause. Jackson did a great job with describing the life of Robert Mapplethorpe and his often controversial yet highly regarded artwork.
When I began reading Jackson’s paper on Robert Mapplethorpe, I was initially shocked by the subjects that Mapplethorpe chose for his work. For someone who grew up practicing Roman Catholicism in Queens, the turn of events throughout his career is quite astonishing. However, it is evident that Mapplethorpe’s personality and sexual orientation eventually dictated his artistic career. While he held blunt opinions on the nude subjects of his photographs, Mapplethorpe was consistent throughout his work, which eventually brought him recognition. Lastly, Mapplethorpe’s charity was also a significant aspect of his artistic career. It seems that starting the foundation was something especially meaningful to him, because it would stand to represent his artwork, and the causes that he cared about personally. To me, this foundation highlights the relationship between the two throughout Mapplethorpe’s career.