“A yearlong exhibition conceived in two sequential parts honoring the groundbreaking work and sustained legacy of Robert Mapplethorpe (1946–1989), one of the most critically acclaimed yet controversial American artists of the late twentieth century. Implicit Tensions: Mapplethorpe Now is on view in the museum’s Mapplethorpe Gallery on Tower Level 4.
The Guggenheim Museum holds one of the most comprehensive public repositories of the work of Robert Mapplethorpe in the world, having received a generous gift of approximately two hundred photographs and unique objects from the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation in 1993. This gift also catalyzed the development of the museum’s photography collection and inaugurated the Photography Council, an acquisitions committee dedicated to actively building and strengthening the Guggenheim’s collection of work in photography and new media by both established and emerging artists. Thirty years after the artist’s death, Implicit Tensions: Mapplethorpe Now celebrates the full range of Mapplethorpe’s extraordinary artistic contributions as well as the impact of the Mapplethorpe Foundation’s gift on the museum’s photography collection and exhibition program.” — Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Robert Mapplethorpe. Patti Smith, 1976. Gelatin silver print, 35.2 x 34.9 cm. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation 93.4278 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission.
Robert Mapplethorpe. Pictures/Self Portrait, 1977. Gelatin silver print, 35.2 x 34.6 cm. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation 93.4280 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission.
Robert Mapplethorpe. Pictures/Self Portrait, 1977. Gelatin silver print, 35.1 x 34.6 cm. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation 93.4280 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission.
Robert Mapplethorpe. Calla Lily, 1986. Gelatin silver print, 48.9 x 49.1 cm. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation 93.4302 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission.
Robert Mapplethorpe. Lisa Lyon, 1982. Gelatin silver print, 48.7 x 38.7 cm. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation 93.4294 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission
Robert Mapplethorpe. Ajitto, 1981. Gelatin silver print, 45.6 x 35.6 cm. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation 95.4322 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission.
Robert Mapplethorpe. Ken and Tyler, 1985. Platinum-palladium print, 59.4 x 50.2 cm. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation 96.4373 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission.
Robert Mapplethorpe. Phillip Prioleau, 1982. Gelatin silver print, 38.4 x 38.9 cm. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation 96.4362 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission.
Robert Mapplethorpe. Self Portrait, 1980. Gelatin silver print, 35.6 x 35.6 cm. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation 93.4289 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission.
Robert Mapplethorpe. Self Portrait, 1985. Gelatin silver print, 38.7 x 40.5 cm. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation 96.4372 © The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission.
The exhibition is organized by Lauren Hinkson, Associate Curator, Collections, and Susan Thompson, Associate Curator, with Levi Prombaum, Curatorial Assistant, Collections.
Images courtesy Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
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