The Podcast
What Do You See? / 2021
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The Artist
Jean-Michelle Basquiat / 1960-1988
Jean-Michel Basquiat, an American artist of Puerto Rican and Haitian descent, rose to success during the 1980s as part of the Neo-expressionism movement. Basquiat's art focused on dichotomies such as wealth versus poverty, integration versus segregation, and inner versus outer experience. He used social commentary in his paintings as a tool for introspection and for identifying with his experiences in the Black community of his time, as well as attacks on power structures and systems of racism. His visual poetics were acutely political and direct in their criticism of colonialism and support for class struggle. His works are normally vibrant with lots of intense eye-catching color that is layered throughout with texts and various sketching. But the piece we are going to explore is very different from that norm.
The Music
Beat Bop / 1983
Tuxedo was completed at virtually the same time in early 1983 that Basquiat produced the early rap record Beat Bop. Released on the label of the artist’s own Tartown Record Co., the long-playing album was made in collaboration with Fred Brathwaite, Toxic, A-One, Al Diaz, and Rammellzee. Basquiat’s cover art shared Tuxedo’s reversal of black-and-white imagery, further testifying to his fascination with the aesthetic look he had explored in that work. Please feel free to listen as you explore the rest of this site.
The Influence
Atlanta Artists Fabian "Occasional Superstar" Williams and Goldigold both have gained much inspiration from Basquiat. Williams using imagery and word play to call out power structures and systemic racism, and Goldigold using vibrant colors and the iconic three-pointed crown in every portrait to acknowledge the power in everyone he captures in his art.
The Culture
With Tuxedo, Basquiat brought his past as a graffiti artist to a new height. Sparking hip-hop culture of today to constantly reference his work by using the similar three pointed crown or his black and white sketching that can be seen on Converse, New Era, and Coach products today.
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Although controversial, his influence made its way to Tiffany & Company's new ad campaign featuring the quartet of Beyoncé, Jay-Z, a 128-carat diamond and a rarely seen Jean-Michel Basquiat painting that had recently been acquired by the jewelry brand’s new owner, LVMH — all in a sort of contemporary remake of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.