Juergen Teller reveals Robert Mapplethorpe's hidden side
Robert Mapplethorpe was a photographer of many hats. Up until the final exhibition he planned before his death in 1989, Mapplethorpe’s various photographic themes – from hardcore S&M to sensual floral still lifes and celebrity portraits – were always shown separately. At the time, Mapplethorpe explained that if the sex pictures were in the room, that’s all anyone would take away from the show.
Opening today in London at the Alison Jacques Gallery is photographer Juergen Teller’s take on the American artist’s work, in recognition of what would have been Mapplethorpe's 70th birthday. Though sexually explicit imagery abounds, the leather-bound characters synonymous with Mapplethorpe are barely present. Instead, we are offered Mapplethorpe as viewed through Teller’s eyes, the result of which is a delicate and more subtle play on the late photographer’s multiplicity.
Known for his candid images for fashion houses including Marc Jacobs and Céline, Teller first embraced Mapplethorpe’s work in his teenage bedroom, while listening to Patti Smith records. Having never before been interested in photography, Mapplethorpe’s 'direct and intimate' record cover image, 'opened up a whole new universe to me', Teller explains at the gallery just days before opening. When Teller later came to photography, he says, Mapplethorpe’s biographical honesty was never far away.
While Mapplethorpe's oeuvre is known for its brutal and often hardcore qualities, Teller’s juxtaposition is instead suggestive, playful and tender. A portrait of Arthur Diovanni – who is dressed in little other than very tight shorts – leans away from an academic study of documentary photographer Gisèle Freund; to her right stands a glossy and reverent still life of a loaf of bread.
As well as a host of sexually explicit works, Teller chose many lesser known images and was especially drawn to Mapplethorpe’s series of plates (as evinced in Shoes on Plates, a 1984 shot depicting a man standing on a pile of crockery). In Teller's native Germany, his name translates to ‘plate’ in English – and it is something of a signature for the photographer. 'Why is this guy standing on a stack of plates?' Teller wonders aloud. 'I mean, most people probably wouldn’t have chosen that in their collection.' Through its canny curation and exposition, 'Teller on Mapplethorpe' offers a portrait of two artists, intertwined.
INFORMATION
’Teller on Mapplethorpe’ is on view until 7 January 2017. For more information, visit the Alison Jacques Gallery website
ADDRESS
Alison Jacques Gallery
Orwell House
16–18 Berners Street
London W1T 3LN
TELEPHONE
44.207 631 4720
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
The Macallan Horizon with Bentley Motors is a decadent whisky with a luxurious twist
The Macallan and Bentley Motors release ‘The Macallan Horizon’, a single malt whisky with a 180-degree twisted presentation
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Ruby Dickson’s Kim Kardashian paintings explore celebrity culture in London
Ruby Dickson’s ‘Maybe my fairy-tale has a different ending than I dreamed it would. But that’s OK’ is exhibiting at Nicoletti gallery, London
By Sam Moore Published
-
Mayfair’s Murano offers beautiful design and incisively cooked food
Angela Hartnett’s Murano celebrates 15 years of Italian supremacy in London with a fresh look by Fabled Studio
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Fetishism, violence and desire: Alexis Hunter in London
‘Alexis Hunter: 10 Seconds’ at London's Richard Saltoun Gallery focuses on the artist’s work from the 1970s, disrupting sexual stereotypes
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Wayne McGregor’s new work merges genetic code, AI and choreography
Company Wayne McGregor has collaborated with Google Arts & Culture Lab on a series of works, ‘Autobiography (v95 and v96)’, at Sadler’s Wells (12 – 13 March 2024)
By Rachael Moloney Published
-
Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley confronts gaming, VR and rebirth at Studio Voltaire
Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley has opened her first institutional solo exhibition, ‘THE REBIRTHING ROOM’, at Studio Voltaire, London
By Hannah Silver Published
-
At Sadie Coles HQ, artists bring a playful sensuality to lamps
Sadie Coles HQ’s ‘Shine On’ exhibition in London features sculptural lighting by Sarah Lucas, Urs Fischer, and more (until 27 April 2024)
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Peter Blake’s sculptures spark joy at Waddington Custot in London
‘Peter Blake: Sculpture and Other Matters’, at London's Waddington Custot, spans six decades of the artist's career
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Step into Yoko Ono’s immersive world at Tate Modern
‘Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind’ spans the artist and activist's work from the 1950s to the present day
By Hannah Silver Published
-
The Royal Ballet celebrates new talent in choreography with edgy set design
The Royal Ballet Festival of New Choreography encompasses performances and events at the Royal Opera House in London
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Don’t miss: ‘The Mother & The Weaver’ dissects the complexity of motherhood
‘The Mother & The Weaver’ at the Foundling Museum, London, looks at the complex role of the mother in art from the Ursula Hauser Collection
By Hannah Silver Published