Robert Mapplethorpe: XYZ

(Los Angeles-October 11, 2012) The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) presents three portfolios created by American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989). The exhibition, Robert Mapplethorpe: XYZ, features a total of thirty-nine black-and-white photographs, exploring three subject matters: homosexual sadomasochistic imagery (X, published in 1978); flower still lifes (Y, 1978); and nude portraits of African American men (Z, 1981). LACMA’s presentation will showcase the works in three rows—X above, Y in the middle, and Z along the bottom—an idea which was suggested by Mapplethorpe in 1989.

Image credits:

Robert Mapplethorpe, Cedric, N.Y.C. (X Portfolio), 1978, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Jointly acquired by the J.Paul Getty Trust and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Partial Gift of the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation; partial purchase with funds provided by the David Geffen Foundation and the J. Paul GettyTrust © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation

Robert Mapplethorpe, X Portfolio, 1978, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Jointly acquired by the J.Paul Getty Trust and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Partial Gift of the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation; partial purchase with funds provided by the David Geffen Foundation and the J. Paul GettyTrust © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation

Robert Mapplethorpe, Irises, N.Y.C. (Y Portfolio), 1977,The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Jointly acquired by the J.Paul Getty Trust and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Partial Gift of the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation; partial purchase with funds provided by the David Geffen Foundation and the J. Paul GettyTrust © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation

Robert Mapplethorpe, Jim, Sausalito (X Portfolio), 1977, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Jointly acquired by the J.Paul Getty Trust and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Partial Gift of the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation; partial purchase with funds provided by the David Geffen Foundation and the J. Paul GettyTrust © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation