Flower series a fave pour moi!
A coup - especially when you consider the fact that the controversial artist's haunts (when he was very-much-alive and making waves around the country with startling - at times titillating - images that were primarily rooted deep in tony Gallery environs east of the Rockies.
The two upstart organizations cobbled together approximately 200 unique pieces - with a major thrust on exceptional works featured in the celebrated XYZ Portfolio - which spotlight sculpted flower stills and a select series of erotic (sometimes downright nasty) nudes that reveal Mapplethorpe's healthy lust (and longing) for the male physique.
The flowers - fluttered - and singled out Mapplethorpe's uncanny flair for impeccable uncluttered design.
On the other hand, at the opposite end of the spectrum, arousing S & M nudes devoid of warmth - and clinical in approach, at times - hinted the visionary was a surrealist at heart.
To round out the collection, the curators snapped up an archive emboldened by 120,000 negatives, 3500 Polaroids (used to prep canvasses during the creative process), and a smattering of personal and professional letters that afford insight into Mapplethorpe's complex psyche.
Art lovers - and music fans - are particularly intrigued over the love letters fired back-and-forth between two improbable bedfellows (Mapplethorpe & rocker Patti Smith).
Stay posted for news of an upcoming thought-provoking exhibit surely on the way!
See 'ya there!
http://www.thetattler.biz
Patti Smith & Mapplethorpe rocked!
