19 January19 March 2011

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CURATED BY SCISSOR SISTERS

Robert Mapplethorpe was an icon of the American avant-garde in the late twentieth century, embodying in his life and art a powerful sense of freedom in all its manifestations – creative, political, personal, sexual.

Since his untimely death from an AIDS-related illness in 1989, Mapplethorpe’s presence has continued to be felt across all art forms, his unrepentantly honest and meticulously composed explorations of desire, transgression and identity offering inspiration and challenges to a wide range of visual artists, filmmakers, writers and musicians. Scissor Sisters, one of the preeminent bands to emerge from New York’s art scene in the past decade, last year celebrated Mapplethorpe’s distinctively dark and decadent sensibility by deploying a series of Mapplethorpe’s photographs as the artwork for their most recent album release, as well as the singles from the album and the design concept for the accompanying world tour.

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This exhibition brings together the seven Mapplethorpe images chosen by Scissor Sisters, along with other photographs, Polaroids and unique and rarely seen sculptures by the artist, and with the band’s selection of important works by major contemporary artists who have admired or been influenced by Mapplethorpe’s aesthetic and attitude. Uncompromising but life-affirming, Mapplethorpe’s fascination with eroticism and mortality, beauty and liberty produced very contemporary interpretations of universal themes, themes which found articulation through the artist’s exacting gaze upon the harmonic, indeed sculptural, possibilities of the objects and scenarios he encountered. His practice was distinguished by the expression of an outlook that ranged from irreverent to subversive to starkly brutal, through a rigorously disciplined language of formal and tonal composition. This unswerving commitment to the pursuit of ideal form, however unconventionally realised, exemplified a potent trend in contemporary art, where the relationships and tensions between sensuous excess and controlled restraint are made visually manifest.

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Works

Oswaldo Macia, Equilibrium, 2010

16mm film transferred to DVD, 4 channel surround sound
6 minute loop
Courtesy: © Oswaldo Macia

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Amaryllis, 1985

Cibachrome print
Unframed: 51 x 61 cm (20 x 24 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Matthew Barney, DE LAMA LÂMINA: A Raiz da Lâmina, 2004

C-print in self-lubricating plastic and Brazilian Rosewood frame
Framed: 110.5 x 111.1 x 5.4 cm (43 1/2 x 43 3/4 x 2 1/8 in)
Courtesy: © Matthew Barney

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Self Portrait, 1978

Silver gelatin print
41 x 51 cm (16 x 20 in)
© Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Tom Burr, Black Folding Screen, (or, Blue Movie, 1969, aka Fuck), 2010

Wood, Plexiglas and steel hinges
182.9 x 177.8 cm (72 x 70 in)
Courtesy: © Tom Burr

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Untitled (Milton Moore), 1980

Hand painted silver print
Framed: 53.3 x 43.2 cm (21 x 17 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Jack Pierson, TORMENT, 1997

Metal, wood and plastic
65 x 270 cm (25 5/8 x 106 1/4 in)
Courtesy: © Jack Pierson

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Cock with Belt, 1971

Collage, paint and coloured pencil on paper, black painted wooden frame
38.1 x 30.5 cm (15 x 12 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Glenn Ligon, Red Portfolio, 1993

Nine silver gelatin prints
Unframed: 19.7 x 19.7 cm (7 3/4 x 7 3/4 in); framed 30.5 x 30.5 cm (12 x 12 in)
Courtesy: © Glenn Ligon

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Marc Swanson, Psychic Studies II, 2007

Wood, mirrored acrylic and stain
182.9 x 198.1 x 5.1 cm (72 x 78 x 2 in)
Courtesy: © Marc Swanson

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Milton Moore, 1981

Silver gelatin print
41 x 51 cm (16 x 20 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Mirror, c.1971

Mirror with wire mesh, wood frame
36 x 26 in (91.4 x 66 cm)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Untitled (Dom Perignon Box), 1974

Mixed media
6.8 x 5 x 2.5 cm (2 5/8 x 2 x 1 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Lisa Lyon, 1982

Silver gelatin print
41 x 51 cm (16 x 20 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Lisa Lyon, 1982

Silver gelatin print
Unframed: 50.8 x 40.6 cm (20 x 16 in); framed: 70 x 60 cm (27 1/2 x 23 5/8 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Lisa Lyon, 1982

Silver gelatin print
41 x 51 cm (16 x 20 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Marc Swanson, Untitled (Vertical Shirt and Chains Box), 2009

Cotton t-shirts, wood, gold chain and latex
215.9 x 88.9 x 19.1 cm (85 x 35 x 7 1/2 in)
Courtesy: © Marc Swanson

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Derrick Cross, 1983

Silver gelatin print
41 x 51 cm (16 x 20 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Derrick Cross, 1983

Silver gelatin print
41 x 51 cm (16 x 20 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Derrick Cross, 1983

Silver gelatin print
41 x 51 cm (16 x 20 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Derrick Cross, 1983

Silver gelatin print
41 x 51 cm (16 x 20 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Star (Gold), 1983

Gold mirror and stained wood
119.5 x 124.5 cm (47 x 49 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Phillip Prioleau, 1979

Silver gelatin print
16 x 20 in (41 x 51 cm)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Phillip Prioleau, 1979

Silver gelatin print
16 x 20 in (41 x 51 cm)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Banks Violette, Not Yet Titled (dwg09-07), 2009

Graphite on paper
99.1 x 78.7 cm (39 x 31 in)
Courtesy: © Banks Violette

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Stars, 1983

Stained wood, carpet
each star: 33 x 33 cm (13 x 13 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

Robert Mapplethorpe, Gun Blast, 1985

Silver gelatin print
Unframed: 50.8 x 40.7 cms (20 x 16 in); framed: 69.8 x 59.7 cm (27.5 x 23.5 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Peter Reed, 1980

Silver Gelatin Print
Unframed: 50.8 x 40.6 cm (20 x 16 in); framed: 70 x 60 cm (27 1/2 x 23 5/8 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Leather Crotch, 1980

Silver gelatin print
Unframed: 50.8 x 40.6 cm (20 x 16 in); framed: 60.4 x 57.4 cm (23 3/4 x 22 5/8 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Neil Gall, The Life of Pleasure, 2011

Oil on linen
46.5 x 35.5 cm (18 1/4 x 14 in)
Courtesy: © Neil Gall

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Neil Gall, Remnant, 2010

Acrylic on bronze
11.5 x 14 x 12 cm (4 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 4 3/4 in)
Courtesy: © Neil Gall

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Robert Mapplethorpe, White Gauze, 1984

Silver gelatin print
50.8 x 40.6 cm (20 x 16 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Flower With Knife, 1985

Silver gelatin print
50.8 x 40.6 cm (20 x 16 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Dan Fischer, Robert Mapplethorpe, 2011

Graphite on paper
24.4 x 24 cm (9 5/8 x 9 1/2 in)
Courtesy: © Dan Fischer

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Bondage, 1974

Black and white Polaroid
Unframed: 8.6 x 10.2 cm (3 3/8 x 4 in); framed: 45 x 37 cm (7 3/4 x 14 5/8 in).
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Bondage, 1974

Black and white Polaroid
Unframed: 20.3 x 8.6 cm (4 4/1 x 3 3/8 in); framed: 45 x 37 cm (17 3/4 x 14 5/8 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Flower, 1985

Cibachrome print
61 x 50.8 cm (24 x 20 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Ken Moody, 1984

Cibachrome print
Unframed: 61 x 50.8 cm (24 x 20 in); framed: 84 x 71 cm (33 1/8 x 28 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Scott Treleaven, The Dog’s a Vapour, 2008

Watercolour, crayon and collage on paper
55 x 43 cms (21 5/8 x 16 7/8 in)
Courtesy: © Scott Treleaven

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Scott Treleaven, Untitled (Silverstar), 2008

Ink and watercolour on paper
35 x 25 cm (13 3/4 x 9 7/8 in)
Courtesy: © Scott Treleaven

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Scott Treleaven, Cimitero Drawing 3, 2010

Gouache, waxpastel and collage on paper
55.5 x 72.5 cm (21 7/8 x 28 1/2 in)
Courtesy: © Scott Treleaven

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Freaks, 1968

Silver foil, wax crayon, colored pencil and graphite on paper collaged on paper
31.2 x 50.3 cm (12 1/4 x 19 3/4 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Arrow, 1983

Mirror, coloured glass (red), wire mesh and wood
122 x 78.7 cm (48 x 31 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Jack Walls, 1983

Silver gelatin print
41 x 51 cm (16 x 20 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, George Bradshaw, 1980

Silver Gelatin Print
Unframed: 50.8 x 40.6 cm (20 x 16 in); framed: 73.3 x 60.1 cm (28 7/8 x 23 5/8 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Arrow, 1983

Mirror, coloured glass (red) and wood
120 x 78.7 cm (47 1/4 x 31 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Lisa Lyon, 1981

Silver gelatin print
50.8 x 40.6 cm (20 x 16 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Lisa Lyon, 1980

Silver gelatin print
50.8 x 40.6 cm (20 x 16 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Arrow, 1983

Mirror, coloured glass (red) and wood
120 x 78.7 cm (47 1/4 x 31 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Gillian Wearing, Me as Robert Mapplethorpe (based upon the Robert Mapplethorpe work: Self Portrait, 1988. Copyright Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation), 2009

Bromide print
Framed: 122 x 100 cm (48 1/8 x 39 3/8 in); unframed: 159 x 130 x 4 cm (62 5/8 x 51 1/8 x 1 5/8 in)
Courtesy: © Gillian Wearing

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Skull and Crossbones, 1983

Silver gelatin print
Unframed: 40.6 x 50.8 cm (6 x 20 in); framed: 72.2 x 60 cm (8 3/8 x 23 5/8 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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Banks Violette, Not Yet Titled (The End Edition), 2010

Steel, light bulbs, electrical wires and assorted hardware
123.2 x 132.7 x 213.4 cm (48 1/2 x 52 1/4 x 84 in)
Courtesy: © Banks Violette

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Robert Mapplethorpe, Self Portrait, 1988

Silver gelatin print
Unframed: 61 x 50.8 cms (24 x 20 in); framed: 82 x 71.8 cm (32 1/4 x 28 1/4 in)
Courtesy: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission

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  • Oswaldo Macia, Equilibrium, 2010
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Amaryllis, 1985
  • Matthew Barney, DE LAMA LÂMINA: A Raiz da Lâmina, 2004
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Self Portrait, 1978
  • Tom Burr, Black Folding Screen, (or, Blue Movie, 1969, aka Fuck), 2010
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Untitled (Milton Moore), 1980
  • Jack Pierson, TORMENT, 1997
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Cock with Belt, 1971
  • Glenn Ligon, Red Portfolio, 1993
  • Marc Swanson, Psychic Studies II, 2007
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Milton Moore, 1981
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Mirror, c.1971
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Untitled (Dom Perignon Box), 1974
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Lisa Lyon, 1982
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Lisa Lyon, 1982
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Lisa Lyon, 1982
  • Marc Swanson, Untitled (Vertical Shirt and Chains Box), 2009
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Derrick Cross, 1983
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Derrick Cross, 1983
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Derrick Cross, 1983
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Derrick Cross, 1983
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Star (Gold), 1983
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Phillip Prioleau, 1979
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Phillip Prioleau, 1979
  • Banks Violette, Not Yet Titled (dwg09-07), 2009
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Stars, 1983
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Gun Blast, 1985
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Peter Reed, 1980
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Leather Crotch, 1980
  • Neil Gall, The Life of Pleasure, 2011
  • Neil Gall, Remnant, 2010
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, White Gauze, 1984
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Flower With Knife, 1985
  • Dan Fischer, Robert Mapplethorpe, 2011
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Bondage, 1974
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Bondage, 1974
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Flower, 1985
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Ken Moody, 1984
  • Scott Treleaven, The Dog’s a Vapour, 2008
  • Scott Treleaven, Untitled (Silverstar), 2008
  • Scott Treleaven, Cimitero Drawing 3, 2010
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Freaks, 1968
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Arrow, 1983
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Jack Walls, 1983
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, George Bradshaw, 1980
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Arrow, 1983
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Lisa Lyon, 1981
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Lisa Lyon, 1980
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Arrow, 1983
  • Gillian Wearing, Me as Robert Mapplethorpe (based upon the Robert Mapplethorpe work: Self Portrait, 1988. Copyright Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation), 2009
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Skull and Crossbones, 1983
  • Banks Violette, Not Yet Titled (The End Edition), 2010
  • Robert Mapplethorpe, Self Portrait, 1988

Installation

Press

Why the Scissor Sisters Love Robert Mapplethorpe

Jake Shears, The Times

January 2011

Scissor Sisters tap into Robert Mapplethorpe’s photography

Laura Allsop, CNN

January 2011

Scissor Sisters to curate Mapplethorpe exhibition

Mark Brown, The Guardian

December 2010

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