Nancy Hernandez
"Robert Mapplethorpe, Barry"
1983, Photographs, vintage silver gelatin print
"Black and white are the colors of photography. To me they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subject", said Robert Frank. Who doesn't love black and white photography especially of a very attractive young man who is showing a bit of skin. Only having the image focus on the body and partial of his pubic hair makes me want to see more, makes me wonder who is the man behind this body. Who dared not show it all? Why just show his chin? Why not his face? This image was created in the early 80's when photographer Robert Mapplethrope began photographing the nude. Mapplethorpe was known for his large scale of stylized black and white photographs, but also for his formal and technical compositions.
Mapplethorpe started making images in the early 70's using a polaroid camera. His inspiration was mainly portraits of his friends, different celebrities, and himself. He also enjoyed making images of flowers. He can take one simple subject but make me wonder a thousand things. I selected this image because it caught my attention. I love that the photographer didn't show more. This image to me means that is okay to have secrets from others. It's okay if you want to be someone with certain people, and someone else on your own time. I love choosing how to live my life, and not worrying about what others think. So this image keeping his face from me signify that every human being is allowed to choose their path in life.
