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BLANK CANVAS COLLABORATION PROJECT NEWS |
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Excerpts from an article (Charta, October 4, 1988, New York) written by Keith Haring regarding the collaborations between Jean Michael Basquiat and Andy Warhol. Jean Michael (Basquiat) and Andy (Warhol) were from different generations and different sociological backgrounds. They had radically different painting styles and equally different aesthetics. They were at different stages of their lives and different levels of their own development. The most important and most delicate relationship he (Andy Warhol) can have with another artist is one which he is constantly challenged and intimidated. This is probably the only productive quality of jealousy. The greatest pleasure is to be provoked to the point of inspiration. Jean Michael and Andy had achieved a healthy balance. Jean respected Andy’s philosophy and was in awe of his accomplishments and mastery of color and images. Andy was amazed by the ease with which Jean composed and constructed his paintings, and was constantly surprised by the never-ending flow of new ideas. Each one inspired the other to outdo the next. The collaborations were seemingly effortless. It was a physical conversation happening in paint instead of words. The sense of humor, the snide remarks, the simple chit-chat all happening with paint and brushes. I visited them at the factory several times while they were painting together. The atmosphere was playful and intense at the same time. There was a sense that one was watching something being unveiled and discovered for the first time. Andy was intrigued and intimidated at the same time. It seemed to push him to new heights. Painting with Jean Michael was not easy. You had to forget any preconceived ideas of ownership and be prepared to have anything you’d done completely painted over in within seconds. It was kind of a total abandon which requires total trust and respect. It was truly an event. They worked on many canvases at the same time, each idea inspiring the next. It was exciting to visit the Factory at this time. The quality of the paintings mirror the quality of the relationship (between the artists). The sense of humor that permeates all of the works recalls the laughter which surrounded them while they were being made. They are truly the invention of what William S. Burroughs called The Third Mind – two amazing minds fusing together to create a third, totally separate and unique mind.
These words written by Keith Haring reflect on the possibilities that can occur when creative minds exchange energies. This experience will be challenging, inspiring, and rewarding. Steve Horvat
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