For those of you who have HBO, this looks like a wonderful documentary!
“Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures”
New York Times review today by James Poniewoziki: “Mapplethorpe: ‘Look at the Pictures’ on HBO gives context to commentary.”
Interesting perspectives and information for all creatives and art lovers.
(Mapplethorpe image © NYTimes 2016)
From Patti Smith’s book “Just Kids”, telling a story about the artist Robert Mapplethorpe:
“Robert’s private mantra: I wish I had tons of money./Then I’d be free./Free to do what?/Everything.”
Imagine being free to do everything. I can feel it, the loosening of “shoulds” or “can’ts” that keep me limited.
What would I be doing that I’m not doing now if I really could do everything?
That’s worth reflecting on, and then acting on, because of course, much of what we can do doesn’t require money in the initial steps. We just keep ourselves from doing it by saying “it costs too much” or look to the future thinking we won’t have the money to do the grand end point.
One step at a time. Celebrate each step. Feel the real freedom and grasp it with your hunger.
“In the end, truth will be found in his work, the corporeal body of the artist. It will not fall away. Man cannot judge it. For art sings of God, and ultimately belongs to him.”
(Patti Smith, “Just Kids”)
Just finished reading, “Just Kids”, Patti Smith’s memoir of her life with Robert Mapplethorpe. A beautiful book, reflecting the evolution of a mystical relationship, and a passionate commitment to one’s own art.
The Inner Path of Photography 