The Zombiefication of Basquiat
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- Опубликовано: 4 июл 2024
- Welcome back!!! In this episode, we take a shallow dive into the life and legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat, exploring how capitalism has commercialized and, in many ways, tarnished his revolutionary work. Join me as we uncover the intricate relationship between Basquiat's art, his Haitian heritage, and the capitalist forces that have transformed his profound messages into high-priced decoration.
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wow its really sad that despite his posthumous success and acknowledgment of his art, his experiences of the message and interpretation being devalued and centered around his name/identity also continues to live on in a way. it’s definitely hard to say whether we’re paying tribute by supporting these collaborations or if we’re confirming his fears 🤧
I think we are in a weird time of Capitalism where pretty much everything is monetized or can be at a moments notice. So the moment someone gets attention (accomplishments, death, etc) there will always be some type of "exploitation" for gain by someone.
Holy shit bruh, this was a brilliant analysis. I’m Haitian so the parallels you drawed between his current exploitation and zombies is genius. Good shit bruh
Such a great analysis and perspective on how Basquiat's work has been decontextualized as a result of rabid consumerism and post mortem fascination. Happens too often with some of the most revolutionary artists after they have passed, especially those who are fetishized or used by corporations for an identity that they were ostracized for when living. In our appreciation of the work, it's only natural to want to surround yourself with the artist, and the art market is so obsessed with "selfie" culture to where museums and retrospectives will go as far to project Da Vinci art on walls as a way to "feel close to the artist," but also have something for your insta feed. Buying the artists clothes/work made by their estate can feel like a way to show appreciation, and signal that to the world, but I wonder what the artists would feel about their work being commodified, aside from the fact that the sale of their work and licensing of it supports their immediate and future family. I imagine half of the people who have Basquiat's work in their homes, or tattooed on their bodies aren't *completely* familiar with him. I mean I have a Keith Haring shirt, but I can't cite his birthday or the day he passed from memory. I wonder how much of this work embodies the artist, or like you said, create's this gross, commercial zombie because the concept of "death" is so difficult to accept. Love this analysis, great great work. 🤗
Though he rose to fame during the 80's artworld where rapacious capitalism was equally on the ascent, the Basquiat estate needs to reign it in and pull back on collaborations in order to protect the legacy of JMB. Scarcity increases value, not overexposure!
Amazing video! I had to share this with one of my friends who’s a big Basquiat fan. LOVE the connection to bell hooks and the Haitian culture. Tbh I always looked as Basquiat as an artistic genius but maybe not the activist some fans wanted him to be. He critiqued white society but his day to day experience was surrounded by them in his professional AND personal life . Self exploitation through my work is something I think often about especially as a “Black Artist” that wants to honor my culture. The commodification question is one that we can never escape but I don’t feel like that “real art is ALWAYS anti-capitalistic” mentality is necessarily correct either in a capitalistic society because it leads us as artists to be stuck in financially precarious situations just to prove that we’re “pure artists” instead of being empowered to realize the value of our labor.
Totally agree with you, his work is very powerfull for it to be in a dumb marketing but in the type of consumist and social media world we live in right now, it is perhaps a way to keep on sending the power of his message and not letting it be forgotten
my guess is he expected it but wouldn't appreciate it. that's what samo meant- same old, same old.
as for the zombie connection, the coffin-shaped grids, sometimes with letters in the boxes, that basquiat used in works like 'robot man' resemble the 8 hour graves a bokor would paint on the ground. in 'robot man' specifically, i believe basquiat purposefully made the zombie reference, considering the words 'intestines', 'hueso', and 'sin hueso' . . . after all, 1980s robots (or, in our era, AI bots) are zombie slaves of a sort, soulless imitations of human workers conjured by capitalists that disenfranchise, disillusion, and impoverish real people.
historical interpretations of basquiat's work often (in my view mistakenly) reduce his depictions of people, especially those with labeled characteristics, to a preoccupation with human anatomy. i think, especially when coupled with grid motifs, it's actually an exploration of the involuntary reanimations and reinventions we undergo due to social and economic pressures . . . and the cultural missing link those art historians/critics lack, which you've so brilliantly pointed out, is the haiti-zombi-vodou knowledge.
it's not a coincidence that one of the dominant companies specializing in these collabs between the estates of dead artists and third-world-borderline-slave-labor junk manufacturers like h&m is Rome Pays Off- named after the basquiat work of the same name that very directly ties haitian zombification to capitalist exploitation and imperialism. the owners of that company (the proud makers of the "Basquiat Beat Bop crown knit beanie"!), are guessing no one buying this stuff will actually look at the print, understand why he made it as a lithograph in multiples rather than selling it as a single painting, or understand what 'salt' means to a haitian zombi.
'salt', imo, is basquiat's message to us from beyond the grave: return to your senses, restore your personality, attack the bokor who created you, or go home to die.
anyhoo, this is the first time your channel was suggested to me and i really enjoyed this video.
Jean-Michel's legacy was more protected and not uber commercialized when his father controlled the estate. After he passed, all hell broke loose with the Merch Machine (c) when his sisters took over. We will reach peak merch absurdity when we see Basquiat condoms with the image of the note on his studio door, "OUT GETTING RIBS." Good job with this analysis and the inclusion of bell hook's take on his art.
Praying this gets the views and support it needs !
Damn, you're gonna make cry 😭. I really appreciate the love !
I loved the exhibit from his family. But I've hated the random collabs and the bastardization of so much of his work!!! It sucks bc I also love all the merch, but I catch myself thinking about how he would not be down for his work being used this way. It's so weird to try to assume what he would have supported
I agree with you ! I feel like the exhibit from his family shouldve been the pinnacle. I just hope they stray away from AI or hologram type of showings🫣
thank you for this///RIP SAMO
Spot on. As a fellow black artist who’s also inspired by his work it feels like a double edged sword. I love seeing his work be praised and accepted it’s nice but to know that him and his art deserved better treatment when he was actually alive makes it feel bitter. The fact that he is not actually benefiting financially from this and that this does nothing to make his art be more respected in the “art world” but could actually serve to hurt his image as it becomes commercialized also sucks but then again it is good that his family gets some payment from all this so really it’s hard to know what’s best
my fav video this week
Seriously the bell hooks analysis is insane. Loved the way you tied it into the haitian zombie concept. Great video, salutations from Brazil!
Aye, I appreciate that! Reading that chapter last year was the first step into me making the connection between everything
My opinion there R thousands of basquiats . He was eccentric. He was in the right place and time. His trajectory was a interesting coincidence. Was he being used? Or not. Was it luck .? Was he exploited? Or did he exploit.. its all good either way i appreciate his accomplishment. And his art tho i dont see the glorifying of it..he worked hard at it..salute to basquiat.
It's the comodification of original creativity. It's sinister and shallow.
This is such a great take and perspective! As a Basquiat fan you are so right B
Frankly I think money and art is gross combination and always has been, that's why I don't really publish my own work. You really hit me with that part about how he wasn't accepted so he couldn't really express all of himself, I feel the same way with my work for similar-but-different reasons. Thank you for your work, this is an awesome video, made me think for sure.
Hey, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! It took me like 4/5 years before I felt comfortable sharing my art , when its time you'll know.
It's gross. It's one thing when the artist makes the choice to commodify their art, but when the "estate" makes that choice I always get the feeling like it makes the artist spin in their grave. Basquiat's art is magical, but it's slowly being degraded to trash by the brands his estate is selling his work to.
truly poignant critique. very thought provoking.
great video man, the music in the background is fanstastic
Glad you liked it! I know Charlie Parker was one of his faves
Spot on
I think this is spot on. Would love to do a response video giving you credit of course supporting your position if that’s ok with you.
Ayeeee! That’s fine with me 🫡
Everything in this world is commodified to the point of total saturation. Drill baby drill!
Not a hot take at all, you're spot on.
Slightly different, but at art school there was this other white kid who copied Basquiat's style and symbolism and presented it as his own. His big piece was his studio, he literally made his space his studio and it honestly looked like some Basquiat forgery exhibit. At the time I thought maybe it was ironic because it was so brazen, but it definitely wasn't, and it really rubs me up the wrong way but no one said anything, and there were no black students in our class. Watching your video, the zombification, and hearing Bell Hooks analysis made me remember it and it made remembering the whole thing a much darker and way grosser feeling.
commodification has ruined his work for now and was inevitable but he will shine again in a few decades and over the centuries to come.
Basquiat’s Art is turning into mush.
Cool video and cool style. Only critique would be some better audio quality when you can. Subscribed
Appreciate that!!! My bad
Hey. I liked your video a lot, keep it up please! made me laugh relate and learn something new . appreciate your critique.
what charlie parker song is this ?
Lover man!
i knew his stuff like k.haring since my childhood and this with : being white, living in Germany and my city was not that big while grown up doing graffiti as a kid... So burn ya books and check what's goin in da streets -cause: knowing bout him and his influence since 2017 & now dissing those who put him in a song... 4real!? So, He's now only yours, collecting him on Mass-produced Fashion- maybe friends of him and Futura from that time you don't even lived- and 4 sure never will understand... go find yourself before talking bout crown material!
Ur jacket gay asf
Real 💗
you are literally part of the problem. sad.
I know :/