BOOM! For Real. Our next feature issue spotlights the career, lifestyle and timeless power of legendary 1980’s superstar painter Jean-Michel Basquiat.
The only element stronger than the astounding catalog of work he created on paper, canvas, wood, glass, brick, walls, doors and other various found objects was his bold, controversial and inspirational image / persona.
The Crown Prince of Art. The Crown Prince of New York City. Maybe even the Crown Prince of The World for fifteen minutes…
In the 21st century new fans continue to embrace his multiple styles; of art, of fashion, of wordplay. Jean-Michel was even in a New Wave No-Wave Art Rock band called Gray that would be exactly in tune with the underground Noise Rock band vibes of today if they stepped on stage tomorrow.
Prices for his available paintings continue to climb into the stratosphere. His popularity across subcultures and generations continues to skyrocket. Reproductions of his art adorn every imaginable surface for retail sales, from the obvious art prints, t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts to jackets, watches, liquor bottles, mugs, hats, jeans, socks, glasses and Rock band album covers.
For a professional career that lasted less than a decade but somehow spans centuries of Art History backward and forward in time, there is a daunting amount of narrative to explore, from Basquiat’s Work; his paintings, drawings and sculptures, their original influences and subsequent ongoing influence, to Basquiat’s Life; a human canvas of Life and Death painted lavishly with intense, full shades of joy and sorrow, triumph and tragedy.
It’s a lot to unpack. Far better and more important than analyzing the paint-splattered myths of the man is the pure unburdened enjoyment of the art he made. That’s his defining statement to the world, beyond every recreation via book or film or retelling. Like all Great Art, the meaning of it all is unexplainable. It affects and feels different to every different human being that encounters it.
What does it mean to you? That’s the answer.
We’re going to focus this brief framing of Art History by describing and reviewing a recent New York City screening of the 1996 biopic Basquiat, starring Jeffrey Wright and directed by Julian Schnabel, another very successful artist who directly interacted with Jean-Michel throughout the 1980’s.
Wright, Schnabel and co-star Benecio Del Toro were all in attendance. Both evening showings were sold out, the line stretched down the block and the big-screen experience was profound.
The soundtrack music is phenomenal. The cast is exceptional. The film has achieved a cult classic status, though unofficial polls show most people in general have generally not seen it.
If you’ve never watched it or have soaked it up dozens of times, the following clip is worth your time viewing now.
Wright plays the title lead and Del Toro’s character represents a composite of various friends, here named Benny. The dialogue discussing Fame and Art is pure poetry in motion.
“How long do you think it takes to get famous?”
“I’m not a black artist, I’m an artist.” - Jean-Michel Basquiat.
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