Basquiat

Although, I know that the comment was about racism, which makes sense, I am not sure that its all that meant. I think its ignorant to say that all Basquiat was about was combating racism. I feel that this quote also touches on someone wanting to breakaway from the same art and same people with that form of art. Lets be honest, he wasnt exactly sheltered from a stable living standard so he knew art, he was intelligent, and so seeing the same old thing every time you turn around makes you wanna break out with something new. Now, again the quote is mainly about racism, tired of the domination over the art world, but also he was tired of the same, not-so-impressive standard art work that every other white guy is doing, being the bases of what people think when they hear “visual art”. Basquiat’s work made people uncomfortable because the people who chose to spot-light his work wanted something different probably just as much as he did. If theres one thing you can say about America is that historically, if people lose interest, they are looking for something to substitute that entertainment which is why Hollywood stars are huge for a little while and “eh” the next day. Because his art made people feel something it wasnt just some random thing on a page it was odd how much it tasseled with your psyche. It was like Basquiat was in touch with a side of his brain (that most people would love to say they could do) that allowed him to express himself in terms of what he actually felt, which related to that inner feeling with other people. Now those who were still doing that normal “fruit-bowl” observational pieces were most likely uncomfortable because they just finished a piece that was ascetically correct and detailed, but now what use to get you noticed no longer means anything because its boring to the public. I think Basquiat had somewhat of a typical, “work up from nothing, gain enemies because of human selfishness, and loosing people because of hope in a life and career that other people cant understand” (I.E. his girlfriend)). But when it came to Andy Whoral i think Andy wanted to be a part of something, to promote himself, but as they got closer it was a much closer relationship. Basquiat probably felt that Andy may be the one person who helped him see both sides of the art world, to hear about the experience he wont get because he was black. Than also i think it has something to do with the fact that, them both being successful there was no longer that wonder of “is he using me because i am now successful and have money?” because what would Andy need his money for. I think Andy helped him see things clearly, his girlfriend in the beginning helped him wanted it more and made him work harder for it due to her disbelief, and his father drove him to it in the first place. I think Basquiat committed SOCIAL suicide when he grieved. Leaving the stage for even a second made the world look away for a moment, and never look back. When he got back into the game they told him he was old news. And again i see that connection between every celebrity, drugs and success, which balances out to death. The fact the Basquiat had plans that day make me think he didnt commit suicide or overdose, but also what he had planned for the day made me think it was that “out on a good note” last day plan. I can argue both but at this point the tension i got toward the end of that video made me believe otherwise.