I was lucky enough to see a Basquiat painting for the very first time.
And not just any painting — the 1982 work “Untitled,” which made big headlines when it sold for the almost unbelievable price of about $110.5 million (roughly ¥12.3 billion). The news that ZOZOTOWN’s President Maezawa had bought it is surely something everyone already knows.
Driven by the urge to see it as soon as possible, I bided my time and went on the very first day.
Hillside Forum (Daikanyama)
The work was on display at “Hillside Forum” in Daikanyama. The building is designed so you can see inside even from the street, and there — all at once — was the artwork itself. What a location, what a way to present it!
This showing was presented as a special exhibit within the “CAF (Contemporary Art Foundation) Award” exhibition, held by the Contemporary Art Foundation that President Maezawa founded.
The exhibition ran from October 31 to November 5, 2017, and admission was free.
https://art-on.jp/caf2017/
Fittingly for the head of an internet company, both photography and web posting inside the venue were allowed — a wonderfully understanding stance.
Jean-Michel Basquiat “Untitled” 1982
The work was displayed with commanding presence in the exhibition’s final area, in the same zone as pieces by American contemporary artists Andy Warhol, Mark Grotjahn, and Christopher Wool.
But once you stand before this Basquiat, all sorts of thoughts come rushing to mind. The depiction of a skull-like face rendered in his distinctive palette hits you with a heavy, overwhelming impact.
Drawing close through the protective case, the real, living breath of his brushwork comes through to you. It stirred emotions I cannot put into words, and I felt my gaze firmly held — for a while, time passed as I stood rooted to the spot.
Delicacy and rawness seem to coexist within it.
By my calculation, Basquiat would have been around 22 when he made this work. With what feelings did he bring it into the world?
The canvas was used to the fullest. Traces of his marks remain even on its sides.
Even in the early-evening hours of the first day, the venue was relatively quiet and seemed to have few visitors. Since it is on view for free, I really think this is an exhibition you should go and see.
As I mentioned, you can view it from outside, but indoors you can also sit and appreciate it from the adjoining café corner. And of course, chatting about Basquiat over a cup of coffee is perfectly fine, too.
Basquiat on Video
I tried filming it. I shot some close-ups too, so please use it as a reference.
