Mapplethorpe:
Look at the Pictures
M+ Cinema presents ‘Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures', a comprehensive examination of a complex artist who unabashedly challenged societal norms, captured beauty in unconventional ways, and left an indelible mark on the art world.
Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures is an unflinching exploration of the life and talent of firebrand photographer Robert Mapplethorpe (1946–1989, United States), a major figure of 20th century photography. The film delves into Mapplethorpe’s upbringing in a conservative, Christian, and homophobic suburban American family, providing insight into the tensions that shaped his artistic journey. It fearlessly documents his hedonistic sex life, the profound impact of his AIDS diagnosis on his career, and his rise to fame during photography’s emergence as a credible and acceptable form of fine art.
Featuring Mapplethorpe’s friends, lovers, and family, alongside influential figures from the American art world and cultural icons like Patti Smith, this intimate yet critical documentary captures the essence of Mapplethorpe’s defiant, hardworking, ruthless, and self-absorbed nature. It also showcases the evolution of his photography practice, from his initial contempt for the medium to his infamous photographs of the gay sadomasochistic scene. Spanning three decades of Mapplethorpe’s life and work, the film provides a comprehensive examination of a complex artist who unabashedly challenged societal norms, captured beauty in unconventional ways, and left an indelible mark on the art world.
M+ Members and Patrons are entitled to priority booking and a 20% discount on screening tickets. Terms and conditions apply.