Silver Spoons and S/M: Patti Smith recalls Mapplethorpe and Wagstaff in Black White + Gray

ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM, FEBRUARY 21 2008

In their many years together as artist and collector, model and mentor, wealthy curator Sam Wagstaff and bête noire photographer Robert Mapplethorpe had many dual portraits taken. But even though these photographs are clear and intelligible, the relationship between these two talented and influential men never has been.

Never, that is, until now. In 2007, a new documentary about Wagstaff and Mapplethorpe’s relationship premiered to great acclaim at the Tribeca film festival. And on Thursday February 21, that film, Black White + Gray, is having its Toronto premiere at the Reel Artists Film Festival.

In this trailer for the film, exclusive nationally to Canadian Art Online, rock icon Patti Smith discusses what so excited Mapplethorpe about his initial meeting with Wagstaff. Other art world observers reveal that Wagstaff wasn’t just one of the first serious collectors to acquire photography, but was also one of the first to use photographs to learn about (and perhaps unintentionally reveal) himself. Commentary by John Richardson, John Sarkovsky, Ralph Gibson and more round out the full film. (100 Queen’s Pk, Toronto ON)

canadianart.ca/reelartists

Photograph copyright Francesco Scavullo Foundation
Trailer courtesy of LM MEDIA GmbH + ARTHOUSE FILMS