A peek inside the notebooks of Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat has kept a stash of notebooks that is housed at Atlanta's High Museum of Art. Dismantled journals with handwritten texts and sketches accompanied by paintings, drawings and mixed-media works line the perimeter of the space. Produced between 1980 and 1987, the documents reveal how the self taught, Brooklyn-born artist began to develop the creative techniques that would inspire his monumental pieces.

"The notebook writings range from extended narrative poems and wordplay to observations of New York's street life, along with lists of celebrities and incidental notes from the artist's personal life. As in his paintings, fragments of found texts appear throughout the notebooks, incorporating street signage, news stories, and references from literature and the Old Testament. Other pages reflect Basquiat's overriding interest in highlighting racial discrimination and acknowledging the important contributions of African Americans and other people of color, as well as his interests in music, world history and popular culture."

Basquiat was one of the most iconic artists of his generation. An untitled painting, which portrays him as a fiery, demonic figure, recently sold for $57.3 million at a Christie's auction in New York. Basquiat: The Unknown Notebooks runs at the High through Sunday, May 29.

Comments

So, have you given Chloe Qisha a listen yet?

What I love about the Malaysian-born singer-songwriter is her knack for crafting those sad/happy songs – music that makes you want to cry and hit the dance floor at the same time. Chloe writes about love, anxiety, and self-acceptance with such wit and honesty. Her beauty is also undeniable – a perfect blend of modern allure and timeless Asian elegance. Her looks shine through with such grace and an effortlessly cool confidence. Here is my favorite.

Press Play Again

You know that feeling when you stumble upon an old movie you haven't seen in years? It's like finding a dusty photo album and flipping through the pages, only instead of bad hairstyles, you're greeted with hideous special effects and awful dialogue. Also, the dramatic tension I remembered as nail-biting was now… well, a little slow-paced. But the truly entertaining part of rewatching a movie is that you notice things you never did before. For example, in Midnight Cowboy , I didn't know that the guy who gave Joe Buck (Jon Voight) a blow job was played by Bob Balaban, who later became known for his role as Russell Dalrymple, the fictional president of NBC in Seinfeld . Released in 1969, Midnight Cowboy is a raw, sometimes uncomfortable, often heartbreaking, but ultimately deeply human. And seriously, the chemistry between Ratso Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman) and Buck is pure gold. Rewatching a movie is like visiting an old friend. You know their idiosyncrasies, their stories, bu...

More Than Just Smiles and Sunsets

Ayala Museum is currently hosting "Amorsolo: Chroma" - a spectrum of brilliance you wouldn't want to miss. It is more than just a collection of paintings; it’s an experience. It’s a masterclass in light and color, a journey into the mind of a Filipino genius, and a fresh perspective on an artist many of us thought we knew. The first thing that you will notice you when you step into "Chroma" is… well, the chroma. While Amorsolo is famed for his mastery of light, this exhibition dives deeper into his entire color palette. It’s like entering a vibrant, living spectrum. Go check it!

finding cain

Search This Blog