Jean-Michel Basquiat

The latest controversy in Paris these days is the exhibition of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat currently showing at the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Madame M had returned from her second home in the south of France, and being always in the know suggested we meet for an afternoon of cultural enlightenment. I must confess to having been the only person in Paris - perhaps even the world - unfamiliar with the fabulously famous Basquiat, so it was with an open mind and wide eyed anticipation that I entered the world of this short lived shooting star. Born to Haitian and Puerto Rican immigrants and raised in the mean streets of New York City, Basquiat (pronounced bass-key-a) was compelled to express himself and did so freely; in the street, on discarded pieces of wood, scraps of paper and cloth, an old refrigerator. "I start a picture and I finish it. I don't think about art while I work. I try to think about life". Hit by a car and seriously injured at a young age, his mother gave him a Gray's Anatomy book to help pass the long hours of his recuperation. This obviously accounts for the recurring theme of intestines, skeletons, and innards so prevelant in his body of work (no pun intended). His style was primitive; "It looks as if it was made by a five year old!" said Madame M, incredibly complex, "You need a long time to study each one to understand his intention" she announced, and controversial. In the beginning of his career, Basquiat worked by the tag SAMO, which stood for "Same old shit, SAMO as an end to mindwash religion, nowhere politics, and bogus philosophy". Lucky in his career, he made connections with important artists and patrons alike, showing at the prestigious Annina Nosei Gallery from 1981-83 and the Galerie Bischofberger in Zurich. Well known in Paris, Berlin, New York, and Los Angeles within a short period of time, he rolled with the likes of Warhol and Francesco Clemente, but he had a difficult personality and a habit of burning his bridges. "Since I was 17 I thought I might be a star" is a quote that personifies his character. Turning his back on his hero and mentor (Warhol) when the critics panned their collaboration, just as he had the gallery owners and patrons who launched his career (or grabbed onto the tail of the shooting star, depending upon how one looks at it) Basquiat suffered the paradox of narcissism and insecurity, in an era of excess, art babble, and self promotion. One either loves him or hates him, there is no in between. There were many negative comments heard by this blogger in the museum and on the street for two blocks around, and the exhibition was the main topic of lively dinner conversation two nights later. It was bonne chance that I had just been and was able to join in, as it is expected of one to have something intelligent to say on any subject broached at the french table! As for me, I give it a thumbs up. Unfortunately, photos were strictly forbidden (but I was able to bring you a small sample nonetheless). Basquiat died of a prescription drug overdose at the age of 28. To learn more about Jean-Michel Basquiat, just Google! To visit the exhibition in person, take metro ligne 9 to Alma-Marceau or ligne 6 to Trocadero to the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris in the Palais Tokyo, 11 avenue President Wilson. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10h-18h. Tariff 11 euro. Free entry to the museums permanent collection. Closed Mondays and holidays.