Understanding contemporary Art through Basquiat

11 Mar

Recognising time, space and thought that captures the zeitgeist of an era is one of the pillars of critiquing Art. We recognise historic Art collections worldwide embodying a state of affairs specific to the time and place, ideas of idealism addressed in chosen models, efficacy, traditions, and In many cases even the subject and the nature between the subject and the painter.

Basquiat confidently embodies through his work a unique time in New York that will never be seen again. Basquiat poignantly codifies his belonging to the City (hailing from Puerto Rico and Haiti by way of his parents, like many in New York City) through his annotations of the ongoings of working-class youth in NY. He makes reference to graffiti culture, notes studied in college on philosophy, offbeat scribbles, crossing out and going over, and patching work. His ensembles are nothing but a flag in the sand for a time in New York where many areas were underinvested and underdeveloped but through it all a strong and upbeat culture would permeate through with the rise of break dancing, and hip-hop culture that after 40 years would become mainstream popular culture. This video is an interview with a young Basquiat being interviewed in 1982.

1982 Interview in East New York with Jean Michel Basquiat