A pop-up art experience featuring works of the late Robert Mapplethorpe is presented on a scale worthy of his impact on art. In the 90s, Senator Jesse Helms gave Mapplethorpe a platform and power by denouncing his photographs saying,
“Look at the pictures.”
More than 25 years later, directors Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato along with HBO Documentary Films present Mapplehorpe: Look at the Pictures, an unflinching, unprecedented look at the artist, the man and his most provocative work.
The J. Paul Getty Museum and The Los Angeles County Museum of Art are preparing to open landmark Mapplethorpe retrospectives (both this month) and, the film goes inside the preparation for the art experiences, as a jumping-off point to tell the complete story of his life and work. It explores the interplay between his personal and professional lives.
With complete and unprecedented access to The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, the documentary draws upon archival materials and features never-before-seen photographs and footage. Mapplethorpe himself is a strong presence, telling his story in his own words with complete honesty and often shocking candor through rediscovered audio interviews.
Many people have had plenty of things to say about Mapplethorpe over the years, and the film has great interviews, but more importantly, we as viewers get the opportunity to hear Robert speak for himself.
Mapplethorpe: Look At The Pictures Pop-Up art experience is in New York‘s Flatiron District by Madison Square Park, March 18 & 19 and in San Francisco at PROXY in the Hayes neighborhood and March 25 & 29. Mapplehorpe: Look at the Pictures premieres April 4, on HBO at 9PM.
