Mapplethorpe: MX7

Mapplethorpe X7 presents a new perspective on the American artist and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe who is best known for his tough and highly eroticised black and white photographs of flowers, Polaroids, porn stars, S&M subcultures and yes Patti Smith.

The book features seven major artists who present their own personal relationship to Mapplethorpe’s work. Over a period of seven years David Hockney, Vik Muniz, Catherine Opie, Sterling Ruby, Cindy Sherman, Hedi Slimane, and Robert Wilson reviewed Mapplethorpe’s entire body of work, held seven exhibitions and chose the most inspirational and resonate images to be featured in this new book.

© Mapplethorpe – MX7, is published by teNeues, € 59,90, www.teneues.com. All pictures © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission.

Published July 21, 2011.