Tulips, Robert Mapplethorpe, 1987

Went to the Mapplethorpe '50 Americans' show at the Sean Kelly Gallery in Chelsea today. The concept was interesting. I thought the title indicated 50 portraits of various people, but instead, the 50 Americans were random people they invited to curate the show; each choosing one photograph from Mapplethorpe's body of work. Under each photo was a placard with not only the usual info -name, medium, year- but also exploratory commentary from each curator as to why they chose their piece. A few people were familiar with Mapplethorpe and were adept at explaining their choice in visually literate ways, while most were very much out their element. Even so, they had emotional, curious, and often socially aware commentary about Mapplethorpe's work. Many said they were moved to look at art and even humanity differently after seeing this body of work; some sensitive and some harsh, and of forbidden nature.

Deborah Harry, Robert Mapplethorpe, 1978

I was taken by many of the pieces, as expected... The portrait of Debbie Harry I've seen many times, but standing eye to eye with this life-sized silver gel print was stunning. There is breathtaking beauty, a late 70's East Village fierceness, and a vulnerability rarely seen coming from images of Harry during this time period. Another portrait of one my favorite painters- Willem de Kooning-was larger than life and so alive, I felt for a fleeting moment I was meeting the eyes of de Kooning himself. The intense capture is at once sad and friendly. It was taken a couple of years before de Kooning's death, when he was believed to have been suffering from alzheimer's. De Kooning's expression is both sturdy and disorienting; much like his work.....

Mapplethorpe is famously known for his duel nature and controversial imagery, but when it comes to the execution of the photos themselves, the artistry and technique is sublime. There is also a consistent and delicate thread running through each image... Whether a series of erotic nudes, an iconic portrait of long time friend Patti Smith, or a wilting bouquet of beautifully mono-toned tulips, I felt a side of Mapplethorpe in each one; as if no matter the theme, each is a self portrait. The show ends Saturday, June 18.