Jean-Michel Basquiat was an avid jazz listener and musician in his own right, and this work shows the relationship between his improvisational style of painting and the alchemy of jazz composition. Jean-Michel Basquiat Self portrait Another instance that is often represented in Basquiat's work is post colonialism. Post colonialism is the historical period after colonialism, it is seen as a way of understanding the on going effects of colonialism (O'shaugnessy, Stadler, 2016, p.442- 453). Summary of Jean-Michel Basquiat Jean-Michel Basquiat moved from graffiti artist to downtown punk scenester to celebrity art star in only the few short years of his career. A poet, musician, and graffiti prodigy in late-1970s New York, Jean-Michel Basquiat had honed his signature painting style of obsessive scribbling, elusive symbols and diagrams, and mask-and-skull imagery by the time he was 20. 'I don't think about art while I work,' he once said. 'I think about life.'. T here's an image of Jean-Michel Basquiat on the cover of the New York Times magazine from 1985. The photo is by Lizzie Himmel; the headline New Art, New Money. The artist, wearing a dark.
Originally postmodernism was an architectural style that took elements of previous architectural movements and combined them to create new buildings. Nowadays it is mostly used as a term to describe the late-twentieth century world and as a style of cultural production. It was a reaction and in some respects a continuation upon the Modernist movement, this modernist movement was characterized by; a positive view upon the power and possibilities of machines, technology, science, rationality and progress; new art movements that represented the world in fresh and progressive manners and emphasized the process of creation (O'shaugnessy, Stadler, 2016, p.442-453).
Although Postmodernism build upon the idea of modernism in some respects, it also created its own characteristics. Postmodernism plays with irony, knowingness, cynicism, powerlessness and pleasure. It blurs cultural boundaries, often using hybridisation and investigates methods of signification and the making of meanings. The postmodernist concept recognizes texts as reproductions rather than representations. It makes avid use of terms such as pastiche, bricolage, intertextuality and self-reflexivity. It extends on the modernist way of self-reflexivity, in that it argues that images and signs do not have the same referential value and that it solely interacts with other signs, therefore it merely plays with processes of production (O'shaugnessy, Stadler, 2016, p.442- 453).
The postmodernist approach enables the incorporations of new ways of thinking; introducing a new sense of identity and questioning euro centrism. To visualize what postmodernism is, work by Basquiat will be analysed as a postmodern representation(O'shaugnessy, Stadler, 2016, p.442- 453).
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) is seen as one of the most significant artists in the 20th century. He is an important figure in the rise of punk art and neo expressionism in the New York art scene in the 1980s. He among Keith Haring and Julian Schnabel changed the perception of the artist to the status of a celebrity, making his lifestyle just as important as his actual works of art.
Notary, Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1983
The work Notary, 1983 by Jean-Michel Basquiat will be analysed for the use of Postmodernist stylistic tendencies. One of these is self reflexivity, this is a technique that draws attention to the construction of an artwork or media product. Within this particular piece of art, he references this self-reflexivity by using his notes for the creation and inspiration of the work literally within the piece of art. Another element that signifies this self-reflexivity is the layering used, he has chosen to cross out words and paint over pieces within the work to suggest the thought process underlying the making of the art piece. This indecisiveness presented in his work as his thought process, can also be interpreted as a sense of powerlessness. This is a subject matter often used in postmodern representations. By showing this indecisiveness he plays with the concept of uncertainty and that everything can be seen as relative.
Another post-modernist aspect used is intertextuality. Basquiat is very well known for referencing his inspiration within his art works. His working method often involved surrounding himself with source material. He used fragments of books, which were spread open on the floor and always had the television on to listen to what is being said to be able to use this within his own work. This referencing can be seen as intertextuality.
An example of intertextuality within the artwork Notary are the words Pluto and the spaceship like figure displayed next to it, this imagery connect to travelling through space and specifically to the Voyager program which was launched in 1977 to explore Jupiter and Saturn, this program had the ability to extend their mission to investigate Pluto but chose to explore Titan, Uranus and Neptune instead. This is why Pluto is crossed out twice and afterwards displayed in a box, emphasizing how it was denied for exploration. Another intertextuality within the space theme is the representation of the sun with the word Casco next to this. Casco is a helmet Brand used to protect your head when driving a scooter or motorcycle. This suggests a need for protection from the sun when in space.
Another instance of intertextuality in this work of art is the portrayal of the male body and surrounded by text related to the medical field. Basquiat was obsessed with using encyclopaedia as a source of inspiration. Within his work he often explored the physical make up of the human body and Notary is no different. He often used the book Gray's Anatomy as a source of inspiration regarding the human body. He relates a visual presentation of the human body to text relating to the study of the male torso, suggesting the dissection of the male body by suggesting the spine and inner workings in the torso of the human figure and by using the text, sickles and mattocks which could be used to open up a human body in the middle ages. These instruments of the middle ages, put this section of the painting in the time perspective of the middle ages, which explains the use of the words fleas, dehydrated and leeches. These words suggest afflictions that were common within this time period. The word salt also relates to this period in time, salt during the Middle Ages was used to clean wounds.
Through using and putting together many different cultural elements into a new form, it could be suggested that he uses Bricolage. This involves appropriation, the original sign or signifier takes on a new meaning in relation to its context, where it combines with other signs.
Jean-Michel Basquiat Self portrait
Another instance that is often represented in Basquiat's work is post colonialism. Post colonialism is the historical period after colonialism, it is seen as a way of understanding the on going effects of colonialism (O'shaugnessy, Stadler, 2016, p.442- 453). Within the self-portrait displayed above named self portrait, 1981, he represents himself as a solely black mass, emphasizing his cultural background of being African and leaving out any details that could suggest him to be seen in a different light. He focuses on the post colonial issue that African-American men and women are not seen for who they are but for the colour of their skin, an issue that is still present today. Basquiat experienced this himself as well, even as a successful artist he was still solely looked at as an Afro-American, he was not able to reliably hail a cab or be in a room without being judged with a sense of racism.
Basquiat's way of dealing with this was buy taking pleasure out of the success he had, by buying expensive wine, painting in Armani suits and by making himself have a celebrity status in the 1980s. He made sure that he was being noticed for everything he did. In a way he used the post modern interpretation of pleasure in his personal life. He chose to live in the moment and celebrate our limited power by being who we want to be, by playing and looking good. It is a celebration of the uncertainty of life.
Jean Michel Basquiat Music
Basquiat often worked with the study of signs and their interpretation, as is made clear in his work. He played with symbols and the question of how meaning is conveyed. Sadly enough this pressure and constant being in the public eye became too much for him which made him join the '27 club'. He died on the 12th of August 1988, merely 27 years of age.
References:
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Radio waves that diffract more around small buildings are: AM. What can exist in the same place at the same time? Diffraction from foghorns is best if the waves being diffracted are: long. Plane waves incident upon a barrier. Waves diffract the most when their wavelength is A) short. C) Both diffract the same. The type of radio waves that is diffracted the most around small buildings are A) AM. C) Both diffract equally. To perceive greater detail a dolphin emits sounds of. Radio waves that diffract more around small buildings are found. Radio waves that diffract more around small buildings are A) FM. C) both diffract equally. For viewing tiny objects in a microscope, diffraction is A) a hindrance. B) not a factor. Diffraction is least when illumination is with A) red light. The reason is that radio waves. Radio waves diffract around the buildings, although light waves do not. The reason is that radio waves. On the diagram above, sketch four wave fronts after they have passed through the barrier. Radio waves diffract around buildings more than light waves do because, compared to light waves, radio waves a) move faster b) move slower c) have a higher frequency wavelength 4. E spreading of a wave into the region behin d an obstruction is called.
Crusader kings release. Buy Crusader Kings II - Expansion Subscription: 30 Days. Sign up to enjoy all Crusader Kings II content: 13 major expansions, 12 unit packs, 14 music packs, 10 portrait packs, The Game Converter and The Crusader Kings II Ruler Designer. $4.99 at checkout, auto-renewed every 30 day(s) at $4.99. Crusader Kings III is a role-playing game and grand strategy game set in the Middle Ages, developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive as a sequel to Crusader Kings (2004) and Crusader Kings II (2012). The game was released on 1 September 2020. Crusader Kings III is the heir to a long legacy of historical grand strategy experiences and arrives with a host of new ways to ensure the success of your royal house. From USD 49.99 from49.99 USD. Crusader Kings III's end date comes upon reaching the year 1453. Depending on how many plans you want to put in motion, this can either feel like forever or too short a while.
O'shaughnessy, M. Stadler, J., 2016. Media and Society. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Buchhart, D., Nairne, E., 2017. Barbican Basquiat boom for real. [Pdf] London: Barbican Centre. Available at: Barbican Centre https://www.barbican.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2017-11/171102_Basquiat_Gallery_Guide_Reprint.pdf [Accessed 28/11/2017]
Laing, O., 2017. Race, power, money- the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat. The Guardian, [Online] * September 2017. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/sep/08/race-power-money-the-art-of-jean-michel-basquiat [Accessed 28/11/2017]
The art story, 2017. Jean-Michel Basquiat. [Online] Available at: http://www.theartstory.org/artist-basquiat-jean-michel.htm [Accessed 28/11/2017]
Another instance of intertextuality in this work of art is the portrayal of the male body and surrounded by text related to the medical field. Basquiat was obsessed with using encyclopaedia as a source of inspiration. Within his work he often explored the physical make up of the human body and Notary is no different. He often used the book Gray's Anatomy as a source of inspiration regarding the human body. He relates a visual presentation of the human body to text relating to the study of the male torso, suggesting the dissection of the male body by suggesting the spine and inner workings in the torso of the human figure and by using the text, sickles and mattocks which could be used to open up a human body in the middle ages. These instruments of the middle ages, put this section of the painting in the time perspective of the middle ages, which explains the use of the words fleas, dehydrated and leeches. These words suggest afflictions that were common within this time period. The word salt also relates to this period in time, salt during the Middle Ages was used to clean wounds.
Through using and putting together many different cultural elements into a new form, it could be suggested that he uses Bricolage. This involves appropriation, the original sign or signifier takes on a new meaning in relation to its context, where it combines with other signs.
Jean-Michel Basquiat Self portrait
Another instance that is often represented in Basquiat's work is post colonialism. Post colonialism is the historical period after colonialism, it is seen as a way of understanding the on going effects of colonialism (O'shaugnessy, Stadler, 2016, p.442- 453). Within the self-portrait displayed above named self portrait, 1981, he represents himself as a solely black mass, emphasizing his cultural background of being African and leaving out any details that could suggest him to be seen in a different light. He focuses on the post colonial issue that African-American men and women are not seen for who they are but for the colour of their skin, an issue that is still present today. Basquiat experienced this himself as well, even as a successful artist he was still solely looked at as an Afro-American, he was not able to reliably hail a cab or be in a room without being judged with a sense of racism.
Basquiat's way of dealing with this was buy taking pleasure out of the success he had, by buying expensive wine, painting in Armani suits and by making himself have a celebrity status in the 1980s. He made sure that he was being noticed for everything he did. In a way he used the post modern interpretation of pleasure in his personal life. He chose to live in the moment and celebrate our limited power by being who we want to be, by playing and looking good. It is a celebration of the uncertainty of life.
Jean Michel Basquiat Music
Basquiat often worked with the study of signs and their interpretation, as is made clear in his work. He played with symbols and the question of how meaning is conveyed. Sadly enough this pressure and constant being in the public eye became too much for him which made him join the '27 club'. He died on the 12th of August 1988, merely 27 years of age.
References:
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Radio waves that diffract more around small buildings are: AM. What can exist in the same place at the same time? Diffraction from foghorns is best if the waves being diffracted are: long. Plane waves incident upon a barrier. Waves diffract the most when their wavelength is A) short. C) Both diffract the same. The type of radio waves that is diffracted the most around small buildings are A) AM. C) Both diffract equally. To perceive greater detail a dolphin emits sounds of. Radio waves that diffract more around small buildings are found. Radio waves that diffract more around small buildings are A) FM. C) both diffract equally. For viewing tiny objects in a microscope, diffraction is A) a hindrance. B) not a factor. Diffraction is least when illumination is with A) red light. The reason is that radio waves. Radio waves diffract around the buildings, although light waves do not. The reason is that radio waves. On the diagram above, sketch four wave fronts after they have passed through the barrier. Radio waves diffract around buildings more than light waves do because, compared to light waves, radio waves a) move faster b) move slower c) have a higher frequency wavelength 4. E spreading of a wave into the region behin d an obstruction is called.
Crusader kings release. Buy Crusader Kings II - Expansion Subscription: 30 Days. Sign up to enjoy all Crusader Kings II content: 13 major expansions, 12 unit packs, 14 music packs, 10 portrait packs, The Game Converter and The Crusader Kings II Ruler Designer. $4.99 at checkout, auto-renewed every 30 day(s) at $4.99. Crusader Kings III is a role-playing game and grand strategy game set in the Middle Ages, developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive as a sequel to Crusader Kings (2004) and Crusader Kings II (2012). The game was released on 1 September 2020. Crusader Kings III is the heir to a long legacy of historical grand strategy experiences and arrives with a host of new ways to ensure the success of your royal house. From USD 49.99 from49.99 USD. Crusader Kings III's end date comes upon reaching the year 1453. Depending on how many plans you want to put in motion, this can either feel like forever or too short a while.
O'shaughnessy, M. Stadler, J., 2016. Media and Society. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Buchhart, D., Nairne, E., 2017. Barbican Basquiat boom for real. [Pdf] London: Barbican Centre. Available at: Barbican Centre https://www.barbican.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2017-11/171102_Basquiat_Gallery_Guide_Reprint.pdf [Accessed 28/11/2017]
Laing, O., 2017. Race, power, money- the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat. The Guardian, [Online] * September 2017. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/sep/08/race-power-money-the-art-of-jean-michel-basquiat [Accessed 28/11/2017]
The art story, 2017. Jean-Michel Basquiat. [Online] Available at: http://www.theartstory.org/artist-basquiat-jean-michel.htm [Accessed 28/11/2017]
Steel, R., 2017.The art of Jean-Michel Basquiat legacy of a cultural icon. [Online] (22 May 2017) Available at: https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/new-york/articles/the-art-of-jean-michel-basquiat-legacy-of-a-cultural-icon/ [Accessed 28/11/2017]
Stuebner, A., 2014. Reading Basquiat exploring ambivalence in American art. [Online] (7 october 2014) Available at: http://www.artpractical.com/column/printed-matters-reading-basquiat-exploring-ambivalence-in-american-art/ [Accessed 28/11/2017]
Jean Michel Basquiat's style is radically different from other fine artists. His style is so unique is because he pulls from a diverse range of influences.
Here are some examples to prove my point. Have you ever seen work like this?
Image: Untitled (1982), Jean Michel Basquiat
Image: Cabeza, Jean Michel Basquiat
Image: Ashes, Jean Michel Basquiat
Jean Michel Basquiat Paintings Explained
What Influences Basquiat's Work?
I wanted to better understand Basquiat's complicated aesthetic, so I watched his documentary, The Radiant Child. Through this film, I understood the inner workings of Basquiat's mind.
Through the documentary, I learned that his unique style comes from referencing things other fine artists don't even think about. For example, he references Skelly Court (Children's game), Joe Louis (Boxer), Hobo signs, Charlie Parker (Jazz musician), Batman and Aztec art. However, there are five recurring influences that Basquiat often uses in his artistic direction.
1. Human Anatomy
Basquiat often refers to human anatomy in his paintings, depicting parts of the body and listing their components. This is due to his first and most vivid childhood memory, getting his by a car. While this is probably one of the worst first childhood memories a person could have, it was a formative experience that allowed him to create visually striking artwork.
When he was hospitalized, doctors had to remove his spleen. In recovery, his mother gave him a copy of Gray's Anatomy, a textbook of human anatomy. He studied the book and its illustrations. This book stuck with him so well, that it influenced his work in adulthood.
Here is an example of his paintings using human anatomy.
Image: Untitled (Anatomy), Jean Michel Basquiat
2. The Experience of Being Black
When he was still alive, he was often the centre of attention at parties and high-profile events. He was (and still is) a well known and respected artist. However, he was still a black man in America. He often received racist remarks; people disregarded his art and labeled his work as ‘primitive'. In his everyday life, he was the victim of racial profiling; taxi cabs wouldn't stop for him often as they saw Basquiat as black and therefore racially profiled him as dangerous).
Police brutality
Basquiat often commented on issues facing African-American people such as police brutality. This theme is explored often in his work, but his most personal piece on the subject is a painting called The Beating of Michael Stuart (below).
Image: The Beating of Michael Stuart, Jean Michel Basquiat
Michael Stuart was a soft-natured African-American graffiti artist. In a lot of ways, Basquiat was just like Michael Stewart. Both were soft-natured. Also, Basquiat was once a graffiti artist before he entered the fine art scene.
Michael Stewart was beaten to death while on a train with his mother. His death haunted Basquiat; he knew it could have too easily been him whose life was taken. The emotional toll as a result of the killing drove Basquiat to create this painting.
Out of all of Basquiat's work, I find The Beating of Michael Stuart his most powerful and interesting piece. I think it's because of the visual elements used. Michael Stewart, the victim of police brutality, is portrayed as the most human out of the three human subjects. His silhouette has a very human shape. On the other hand, the police do not have the same human form. Instead of looking like people, they are painted as menacing rectangular figures with sharp teeth. To show their lack of humanity, he portrays them as less human.
The silhouette of Michael Stuart is also important as is shows how he is viewed by the police. Michael Stuart's depiction has no other features other that his black colour. This is how police viewed Michael Stuart, they only saw him as black and judged him only by his colour.
Also, a smaller detail is that there are graffiti tags on the painting. This is added as Michael Stuart was a graffiti artist.
Black History
Basquiat is also influenced by black history. He references events such as slavery and the Jim Crow era. He also references black figures such as Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali and Charlie Parker.
3. His Upbringing
One of Basquiat's friends described his upbringing as '…superior to the average child'. This is partially due to his multilingual childhood; aside from English, Basquiat spoke Spanish, French and Creole. Damn, and here I am struggling to write this blog post in the only language I know.
Jean-michel Basquiat Art Style
According to the documentary, the highest regarded artists always speak more than one language; Picasso spoke French, Catalan and Spanish.
Words in different languages are a recurring element to Basquiat's paintings.
Jean Michel Basquiat Paintings Meaning
'Sangre' is a word shown on this painting (below). In Spanish, ‘sangre' means ‘blood'. (I know this because I speak fluent Google Translate!)
Image: In Italian, Jean Michel Basquiat
4. Other Artists
Basquiat often referenced other artists such as Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Picasso. He often included them in his paintings. Below is an example of Basquiat referencing Vincent Van Gogh.
Image: Two Wax Figures of Vincent Van Gogh, Jean Michel Basquiat
5. Bebop
Bebop is a style of jazz which was made in the 1940's. Bebop has a large influence on Basquiat's work as it was his favourite genre of music. In many ways, Basquiat's work is the Bebop music style adapted to a visual art-form. Bebop is recognized by quick tempos and rapidly changing and complex chord progressions. The same feel is created visually with Basquiat's work having energetic, unpredictable, rapidly changing visual elements.
Final Thoughts
Basquiat has such a unique style because he pulls from a diverse range of influences. In the documentary, one of Basquiat's friends stated, 'He had this unique ability to access everything that was in his mind and memory bank… and put it on the canvas'. He often reflects on childhood and life experiences, history, artists (both traditional and non-traditional) music and foreign languages. This diversity in influences creates a style that is uncommon and individualistic. By referencing a little bit of everything, you can't recognize what his main influences are. Basquiat combines many defining elements of who he is, resulting in an aesthetic that is truly his own.
Jean-michel Basquiat Movie
What is your favourite Basquiat artwork? Did I miss anything important? Let me know in the comments below 🙂
