Henry Art Gallery

Black White + Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe

FREE Henry Members and Students with ID;
$5 General admission.

Running time: 76 minutes.
Written, Directed and Produced by James Crump.

During the heady years of the 1970s and 1980s, the New York City art scene was abuzz with a new spirit, and Robert Map...plethorpe would be at the center of it. Yale educated curator Sam Wagstaff pulled Mapplethorpe from his suburban Queens existence, gave him a camera and brought him into an art world that seemed to be waiting for him, creating the man whose infamous images instilled emotions ranging from awe to anger. In turn, Mapplethorpe brought the formerly starched-shirt preppie to the world of drugs and gay S-and-M sex, well-documented in his still-startling photographs. Twenty five years separated the lovers, but their relationship was symbiotic to its core, and the two remained together forever. The film also explores the relationship both men had with musician/poet Patti Smith, whose 1975 debut album “Horses” catapulted her to fame.

Wagstaff’s story is one of personal transformation from conservative, starchy prepster to downtown habitué, hipster and experimenter. Both he and Mapplethorpe enabled each other to discover different parts of themselves—both men encouraged the other to mine new territory in the arts and in their personal lives as well. Wagstaff’s death from AIDS, in 1987, and later Mapplethorpe’s, in 1989, marked the end of an era. Black White + Gray reveals the powerful troika these two men formed with Patti Smith, and the influence their collective work continues to have over present-day art and culture.
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The Gift Shop Presents: Presents
SOL HASHEMI, JASON HIRATA and CLAIRE COWIE

OPENING Friday, November 20th 5 - 8 pm
and continuing through December 13th

The Gift Shop at the Henry Art Gallery
University of Washington, Seattle
Thu - Fri: 11 am - 9 pm
Sat - Sun: 11 am - 4 pm
Closed: Mons, Tues, Weds, & Nov. 26th

Sol, Jason, and C...laire are bringing gifts back to the Gift Shop! They’re stocking the Gift Shop with presents they have made together and individually, along with contributions from their friends. During the three weeks of the exhibition anyone is invited to make a gift, bring it in, and exchange it for one they find. In the spirit of “white elephant” and “secret santa” games, this encourages speculation, anticipation, excitement (or disappointment?)—challenging each of us to confront our desires and expectations. What are you willing to give? What do you expect and hope for in return? This project examines the celebratory aspect of making art and giving, the element of surprise in getting presents and in collaborating, and the potential for new relationships and dialogue within our community.

The exchange of gifts will begin during the opening party this Friday the 20th from 5 - 8 pm. Anyone who wants to participate can wrap a gift, place it in the gallery, and choose one to take home. The gift exchange will continue during the Henry’s regular gallery hours, Friday November 20th through Sunday December 13th.

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The Gift Shop Project # 2 of 6

This is the second in a series of artist-initiated projects which temporarily re-purpose the Henry Art Gallery gift shop. We have created something very much like an autonomous, alternative artist-run exhibition space off of the museum lobby. Goals include: involving a diverse and interesting group of artists; developing means and methods which acknowledge the contingent nature of this particular site; generating new understandings of what an exhibition can be; and enjoying the pleasure and energy generated by working together. Artists! You do not have to accept the context which you are given. Create your own context! gift.shop.project@gmail.com
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