Visionary, Controversial, Boundary-pushing, Subversiv, Influential. MASTER

Robert Mapplethorpe, born in 1946 and raised in a Catholic environment near New York City, initially had no ties to the art world. He began studying drawing, painting, and sculpture at the Pratt Institute in 1963, where he discovered and explored the works of artists like Joseph Cornell and Marcel Duchamp. In 1970, he started experimenting with photography using a Polaroid camera, incorporating his photographs into collages. As he progressed, Mapplethorpe shifted his focus solely to photography, holding his first solo exhibition featuring Polaroids at the Light Gallery in New York. He expanded his social circle and honed his photography skills by capturing portraits of individuals in New York’s artistic, nocturnal, and underground scenes. Alongside his artistic development, Mapplethorpe engaged in commercial projects such as creating album covers for Patti Smith, who became his close friend and muse, and contributing photographs to Interview magazine. Throughout his career, Mapplethorpe immersed himself in New York’s art and cultural industry, achieving significant social and cultural recognition before his death on March 9, 1989.

Etablished in 1988, the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation was founded by the acclaimed artist himself, just a year prior to his passing, with the aim of safeguarding his artistic legacy, advancing his creative vision, and advocating for causes close to his heart. As the inaugural president of the board of trustees, Mapplethorpe outlined two primary objectives: to elevate photography to the same level of recognition and respect as traditional art forms like painting and sculpture, and to contribute to HIV/AIDS medical research. Continuing Mapplethorpe’s intentions, the foundation remains dedicated to supporting photography initiatives in major museums and smaller institutions, providing assistance for exhibitions, acquisitions, and publications, thereby ensuring the enduring impact of Mapplethorpe’s work and the fulfillment of his philanthropic goals.

In conclusion, Robert Mapplethorpe’s journey from an unassuming upbringing to an iconic figure in the art world is a testament to his unwavering passion, creativity, and dedication. Starting his artistic exploration at Pratt Institute, he transitioned to photography in 1970, quickly mastering the medium and earning recognition through solo exhibitions and commercial projects. Mapplethorpe’s immersion in New York’s cultural milieu allowed him to capture the essence of his subjects with striking intensity, leaving an indelible mark on the art world. His legacy extends beyond his artistic achievements; the establishment of the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation reflects his commitment to preserving his work and advocating for causes he cared about, ensuring that his creative vision and philanthropic endeavors continue to inspire and impact future generations.

I love making pasta, It’s only two ingredients “OO” flour (aka pasta flour) and egg yolks. (egg whites are wet and not as rich as the yolks, whites make shit dough). Very simple yet complicated if you want to get into the whys and whats. Pasta is edible clay, you can turn it into any shape, add whatever you want to it, and it’s beautiful. I love photographing food because its an art of its own, Its the fuel for life., Food is very powerful thing and I like to capture it and preserve it in its highest quality state of its life. I used to preserve food through fermenting, drying, curing, and pickling. Now I do it through photographs.

Overall, food is a versatile platform through which stories of culture, history, and personal experiences can be expressed. Whether it’s through a simple family recipe or a complex gourmet dish, food has the power to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and foster connections between people. I can share that with my camera.

Italian cuisine is second to none.

There are no jokes this week out of respect for others. Dad jokes will resume next week. Also, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge George Taliaferro in honor of black history month. Taliaferro was the first African-American ever drafted by an NFL team. The Chicago Bears picked him in the 13th round of the 1949 NFL draft, and Taliaferro played from 1949-55 with franchises in both the old NFL, and the All-America Football Conference.

When he reported to IU in 1945 he couldn’t swim in the pool, live in the dorm or eat in the cafeteria. He could attend movies, but only on weekends, and only if he sat in the balcony, away from the white people.

“I couldn’t do … anything … on … campus but attend class and play football,” he says. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 91.

I still can still hear these fucking frogs- David White

Fun fact The commercial was directed by Gore Verbinski, who would later direct the first three Pirates of the Caribbean films. –USA Today. 2015-01-13

5 commercials

I haven’t watched any of the ads yet. So the 5 that I have picked out to watch are ones that I feel wouldn’t bother me, I want to critique them fairly.

•  Chris Pratt | The Pringles guy
•  Beyoncé | Verizon
• Ryan Reynolds And Randall Park | IF
• Jennifer Aniston | Uber Eats
• Arnold Schwarzenegger | State Farm

Top 2

Arnold Schwarzenegger | State Farm
The best commercial by far.
On a film set, Schwarzenegger finds himself struggling to deliver the insurance “Like a Good Neighbor” tagline amidst his stunts. His accent is a challenge, causing him to stumble over the words. DeVito steps in to effortlessly deliver the line, saving the day.
Pros- They are pounding this in your head, repeating the jingle “Like a Good Neighbor”. . Repeating the name of the company while you are watching a home explode. It was entertaining, really funny, and trusting. Well made.
Con- If anything the to be continued at the end is stupid, also it dragged on a touch too long

Chris Pratt | The Pringles guy

After purchasing Pringles, Mr. Chris finds himself faced with a cashier’s thought that has a striking resemblance to the iconic chip icon. Initially brushing it off, Mr. Chris later finds himself unable to shake Comment, as it seems everyone around him begins to see the resemblance too.

Pros- It’s like watching one of his movies, you know what to expect, you’re excited, and you expect it to be good with that actor. Super ads have really good actors.

Con- It’s total bullshit. Not likely you see someone that famous eating that many chips at once (Unless you’re like this dude-https://youtu.be/pqPoREAM9ZM?si=-foM0FoxGPIUz8aQ). It is fun to watch but at the end of the day, I want the actors to act like they stand by the product. It’s about Chris, not the Chips.

I looked at reviews after I wrote this and came across this…
State Farm’s Super Bowl ad, which featured Arnold Schwarzenegger as Agent State Farm, won this year’s USA TODAY Ad Meter competition.

I always wanted to print a magazine!

Book names and a few I just made up. Kitchen Cuts, Out Of Season, Hot Corner, But Dave Said.

A magazine is a physical marketing tool, A well-designed “lookbook” can help me attract new clients or job opportunities. I feel like it can provide a visual representation of my work, and viewers can quickly understand my aesthetic and style. I know everything is digital, but this can show someone that I can start and project and finish it. A book could also demonstrate my range as a creative professional by showcasing different styles, techniques, or types of work Ive done. Also Shows that I am a human, and that I have a personality and can be creative on my own. Utilizing graphic design students to help design a magazine and in return could befit themselves.

I have many names and photographs to make a cohesive product that ties into the portfolio that I’m currently building. The photos I’ve taken go back 15 years, (some on old iPhones shown below). To make a magazine like Andrew has would be so much fun. Learning the process and making creative decisions that come to life would be incredible. I’ve been thinking about this for years. The ideas have been inside too long. I just need to start by printing one book.