Blog 1: Robert Mapplethorpe 2022

 Robert Mapplethorpe was once enrolled at Pratt Institute in 1963 where he studied painting, sculpting, and drawing. In 1970 is the year he acquired a Polaroid camera and started to create and explore  photographs and photography. He was really interested in creating photographs that have never been seen before, he wanted to achieve new, different, and the unexpected when he was taking photos. Specifically, in the 1980s, he discovered a way to challenge the "classical" aesthetic for standard photography. Unfortunately, Mapplethorpe was diagnosed with AIDS in 1986. Throughout his work after this, his struggle and battle with AIDS can be seen throughout his photography. 

In this photo titled, "Self Portrait" we can see that Mapplethorpe is holding a cane like object in his hand that has a skull on top where the hand would be placed to hold onto while walking. His body is completely vanished, as his head is the only body part we can see other than his hand on the cane. 

When looking at this photo I can get a sense of death. It seems to me that Mapplethorpe created this due to his struggle with AIDS. It is almost as if he knew he was going to die soon, or that death was "right around the corner" with this photo. This portrait was also taken in 1988, so two years after he discovered that he did in fact have AIDS. 

To me this photo gives off ominous vibes and feelings, which can directly relate to his struggle with AIDS.

Another photo that I find interesting that Mapplethorpe created is this one here shown below: 

I find this photo so interesting due to the contrast in highlight and contour in this photograph between the African American male and the White male. I love the decision to have the black males eyes closed and the white males eyes opened. The dark background and Mapplethorpe able to capture such beautiful lighting to expose both of these men is just so eye catching. 

The way the lighting falls on both subjects just makes all the details come to light and it is truly beautiful.