Jean-Michel Basquiat Untitled 1981
This painting made me cry when I saw it in a museum in LA. Is that embarrassing to admit? Movies and music make me cry to so I think it’s fair that visual art can as well. I had been travelling for a few weeks by myself at this point and had probably reached a sort of deliriousness. But there’s something so moving about this work that I can’t quite put my finger on. Arguably, if a work of art moves you to tears it’s a good one. (Not like scared, I’m going to die tears although I’d be so intrigued to experience art that did that but like, don’t sign me up - wtf would that even be!! no thanks)
Basquiat is iconic in so many ways. Street art of the 70s, with hip-hop and punk, was a huge cultural movement and still influences artists today. Basquiat is as cool and as important as RUN DMC, The Sugarhill Gang, The Velvet Underground and The Ramones. His skull is haunting and sad, it’s angry and chaotic and beautiful. The colours are the opposite of the dark mood and it’s totally human. I want to go and see it again so if anyone fancies buying me a ticket to California that would be great.
I’m back from my first post-pandemic holiday! I went AWAY! I spent alot of money, got a tan, didn’t eat any vegetables for a week and twisted my ankle jumping off a wall! We did it! I didn’t cry at any art but I did have a good time at a museum and I’ll be sharing it here. A teaser for another Fizzy Milk… coming soon. Don’t unsubscribe just yet.
We were in LA for the art and we’re in LA for the tiktok. Hollywood, baby! You need to click this link. I keep forgetting that people might not know this. Click here to watch the ‘tok.
Congrats you’ve made it to the end! Todah Rabah.
Eleanor x