Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Patti Smith

The singer/photographer/poet Patti Smith was at the Wadsworth Atheneum last week.  An exhibition of her photographs opened on Friday.  She was present to sell and sign her recent book Just Kids, a biography that focuses on her youth, when she and her lover, the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, were starting out in the New York art scene.  She was placed in a corner, in front of a disturbing Magritte painting of a female head with blood on it.  Inspired.

I came along near the end of her book signing, when she was tired and told the staff "no more pictures."  Fortunately, I can look in one direction, aim the camera elsewhere, and stealthily push the shutter button undetected.

The exhibition was also closed to photographs, so I took a shot from outside the room.  Since Mapplethorpe was best known for his homoerotic photographs, the placement of a nude male statue to guard the room was also inspired.  It is Statue of a Youth by Gaston Lachaise.

Her photographs are very small, perhaps 2" x 3", so I didn't miss much by not taking photos inside the exhibition rooms.

35 comments:

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I think you have given us the benefit of your stealth camera skills in this museum once before.

I look forward to the exhibition that is a retrospective of the best photography of Hartford Daily Photo.

Bruce Clark said...

Interesting images and I always enjoy the stories with your shots. Jack did you use a flash in these shots?

Kate said...

Did you buy a book or did you just look? I dub you "super stealth sleuth!"

Malyss said...

Patti Smith! Horses! Gloria, G-L-O-R-I-A!! OMG! All my youth! in France, she's more known for her songs than for her pictures. I liked her very much when I was 17/18..THank you for taking such pictures , they are precious!

Luis Gomez said...

Great post Jack! Really enjoyed it.

Halcyon said...

Very cool! Did you get her autograph?

T. Becque said...

Wow, that would be pretty neat to see and meet her! Nice job on your sleuth type photography!

Randy said...

I would have loved to have been there. I just picked up that book too.

Sharon said...

Nice job with the sleuth photography. I admire your style. I haven't heard of this book so I think I'll do a little research today.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

That's a handy talent you have there in certain situations Jack, can only imagine the strange pictures I'd get if I tried it!!

Sylvia K said...

I do love the results of your stealthy photography, Jack! Interesting shot from outside the room. Also interesting is how small her photographs are???? Easy to see that you didn't miss much! Enjoy your day!

Sylvia

Karl said...

Interesting story Jack, and nice shots too.

Dawn said...

Sneaky Jack. I need to hire you as a P.I. for something;)

RedPat said...

Jack the secret agent! Nice ones.

Gunn said...

Well done, Jack!:)

Lowell said...

How very interesting. Why in god's name, 2X3? Maybe they're no good blown up? Sheesh. It's like she doesn't want anyone to see them!

You are even sneakier than I am!

And re your comment about drinking: In my mind I'm always in Paris so I can drink any old time I so desire! Ha, ha!

Mo said...

Interesting post. I'd have enjoyed her meeting. Did you buy her book? I imagine it would be rather interesting. She should be used to lots of pictures being taken of her after her last life. Glad you were the Sleuth photographer

VP said...

I like some of her music, but I still wonder at what some people found of interesting in the 'works' of the late Mapplethorpe. You did well taking her picture...

cieldequimper said...

Not a Mapplethorpe fan either. Did you enjoy her exhibition?

You, as a photographer with special techniques ;-),were very inspired!

Kay said...

I'm guessing that's a reflection of you in the glass next to the Magritte painting. . .unless I'm missing the artistic merit of a security guard and a man looking in another direction. . .and, I agree with Lowell: 2x3 photos? Anyhow, thanks for sharing your brush with fame.

Michelle said...

Well, sneaky you! Love it!

jennyfreckles said...

She looks as though she has lived! I can't say I know much about her but I envy anyone who can be a singer, photographer AND poet. So much talent in one person! Did you buy the book?

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

So those who used to live such a wild, reckless life are now tired after sitting down signing a few books. How sad.
You say the photos were small, but are they any good?
An interesting post, Jack.

Pet said...

Patti Smith! I would have loved to be there.

Regina K said...

You are such a sly man, great info and photo.

youth_in_asia said...

Really inspired stuff today, Jack. Nice sneaky photography too.

Virginia said...

I love a good stealth photographer. Never let 'em see you click I always say. Nice work Jack Photo.
V

Stefan Jansson said...

Cool. She was in Stockholm a while back when she received the Polar Award.

Haddock said...

Aha so you click like me "look in one direction and click in another" :-)

Cindy said...

Nice sneak shot! I do that sometimes, too. It's nice to see what Patti Smith is up to.

Unknown said...

Sneaky!!

Cildemer said...

Wow! Great catch! And unnoticed too! Well done, Jack!
Thanks for sharing;o)

***
Have a nice and happy day****

Lynette said...

Gosh, Jack, you're a hoot! I adore this post! Adore it. Thanks for being so stealthy.

nathalie said...

Your post is makes for a very interesting read, it's very funny too - great lesson in discreet photography! I'll have to learn to practice that.

PS - I knew Patti Smith as a singer, not as a photographer. You mention her photos as being very small. What sort are they? Do you like them?

Unknown said...

'THE' Patti Smith?! I used to be a big fan of hers.