Lesson 7 - Davis - Basquiat

The career of Jean Michel Basquiat began in the streets of New York City in the 1970s, his identity hidden by his graffiti tag SAMO. It wasn't until 1981 where he would put his talent onto a canvas for the first time and in 1983 he is known as a rock star in the art world. But like any well-acclaimed rock star during the 80's, Basquiat had a heroin addiction and it would be the cause of his death at the age of 27. This video was created by Tamra Davis, showing the never before seen footage of her old friend, who's highest peak of his career was just at 25 years of age. "A young nobody who forged a brand of art and stardom never seen before. A collision of art, black history, and the street that still shapes pop culture. The Radiant Child".

What I really like about this documentary is that even though the main focus is about Basquiat during the highest point of his career, it shows how it all began and completely chronicles his life from every aspect, not just in the art world. Without going into too much detail on some things, it talks about his family life and his relationships with his father, as well as the type of child he was growing up before he stepped into art. It showed his relationship with Warhol, and without getting gruesome, it also showed the beginnings of his downfall to the very end of his life.

What I found very interesting was his rock star life. But the way it begins and ends doesn't surprise me all that much because it was a romantic depiction, told like any other about an artistic genius (whether musically or artistically) coming to fame at an early age. He was driven, rebellious, charming, and ambitious, but along with the sudden fame and wealth came temptation which was the ultimate cause of his demise.

I found Basquiat very interesting because his story was much more fascinating to me compared to the other artists we have gotten to know. Every artist has his trouble starting out but the fact that Basquiat had to start off with that trouble and compete against racism at the same time makes his accomplished yet short journey that much more exciting to follow.