Introduction
Mapplethorpe stands out as one of the most dynamic and nonconventional artists of the 1970's. At a time when sexuality issues were discussed in low tones, and, behind the curtains, he came forth and did photography that was beyond imaginations of the conservatives, and above the expectations of the liberals. Robert's art rose above the push for LGBT rights, to a level of comfort with being gay or lesbian. His other fascinations were beauty and nature. The racial debate featured in some of his photography, where he combined sexuality and race agenda in the same pictures to provide a depiction of transcendence over skin color and sexual conventions.
Robert Mapplethorpe’s contrarian approach
The photo, a cock, and a gun is arguably the most outstanding representation of manhood and chauvinism. The portrayal of an erect penis alongside a cocked gun shows how men in the society fuel violence to show their might and strength. The picture bonds very well with the situation in the 1970's when women were still fighting for inclusion in the political and corporate world. The image creates the idea of a male majority that as ready to frustrate the idea of integration and affirmative action.
He used flowers to develop the concept of beauty. Most of his flower photos have fantastic vases, and the flowers appear to be clamoring for something. Maybe, Mapplethorpe had the idea that, despite the efforts of the government and right-wing activists who were against homosexuality, one day the world will give in and stop judging people by their sexual orientation. It could also have meant that he appreciated the beauty of life at its most natural, and, that, it was not the decision of the individual to choose a certain sexual orientation, and their beauty is at its best when it is left to prosper.
Inspiration
Robert was inspired by the need for the world to rethink some of the old ideas about race and sex. For instance, his painting of two naked men, a white and black man, sought to diffuse racial lines in the face of sexual freedoms. Thinking about it, having a white man falling in love with a black man in the late 20th century creates the idea of post-modernity, where people cease judging others by their skin and live together, whether black or white.
Critique
His photos of women, fully dressed contrast with his photos on men, where, the only photo where the man was fully dressed shows his zip open. He was inspired by the urge to reverse roles, by showing women in their traditional setting while setting up men for controversy by introducing a new dimension of men who were fascinated by men bodies. Mapplethorpe is celebrated for his creativity, and critiqued because of the same creativity, as some people were saying that he was using his influence to serve an agenda that was against society norms.
Conclusion
It is more than twenty years since Mapplethorpe died, but his works seem even more relevant. He was controversial at the bare minimum, and his photography was cited as a wrong use of public funds to finance explicit photography projects. His projects in New York underground raised important debates about race and sex. He remains one of the most famous photographers in the modern times. His success in creating perfect images of nude men and women without making it look like pornography serves as a lesson on the line between sex and sexuality.
