Patti Smith is my hero

Singer Patti Smith won the National Book Award for nonfiction for her memoir "Just Kids."

© Patrick McMullan Company

"I dreamed of having a book of my own, of writing one that I could put on a shelf," an emotional Smith said at the award ceremony, held on 17 November, the New York Times reports. The book is a poetic biography which traces her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.

Patti Smith and Steven Sebring: Objects of Life in NYC

Steven Sebring, "Patti Portrait Detroit" (1995). Gelatin silver print, ed. 1/5, 16 x 20 inches, 40.6 x 50.8 cm.

NEW YORK - The exhibition "Patti Smith and Steven Sebring: Objects of Life," is on view at Robert Miller Gallery through Feb. 13, and has opened last week. The opening reception was
full of celebrities, I hear, Zac Posen, Michael Stipe, and Mary Ellen Mark were there. I wish I was there too...too bad but I had had the chance to meet with Patti Smith in London at Alison Jacques back during Frieze.

The sprawling exhibition is a collaboration between Patti Smith and Steven Sebring, and is meant as a celebration of the 11 years he spent filming her for his documentary Patti Smith: Dream of Life. Like the film, the exhibition is an "impressionistic portrait of the artist," represented in the form of her drawings, screen prints, poetry, and memorabilia, as well as photographs taken by Sebring. These range from intimate Polaroid prints to large-format, documentary color images of such Smith belongings as her trademark boots, a cherished childhood dress, a necklace Mapplethorpe gave her, and a tiny urn holding some of his ashes.

This show is apparently made of 80 works and in the same way as the Mapplethorpe' show in London, acts as a memorial to the artist. One can feel a bit moved by so much emotion conveyed by the drawings, poems, videos, photographs, silkscreen prints, installations etc.

What did you think of this show?

More info on: http://www.robertmillergallery.com/index2.html

Frieze Week - Tuesday: Patti Smith at Alison Jacques Gallery

One of Frieze's highlights was the performance by Patti Smith at Alison Jacques Gallery's opening of Robert Mapplethorpe's A Season in Hell' show. The performance included a sing-along acapella rendition of "Because the Night" and a reading of "People Have the Power".

I found it simple, humble and amazing! Patti Smith stood in front of the crowd and in a very nice way spoke about her loving realtionship with Robert Mapplethorpe, apologized for not being able to perform inside.

The show itself encompasses beautiful, provocative iconic photographs... in a nutshell pure Mapplethorpe. Go and see it !

Video Copyright Paul Carter Robinson

More info on: http://www.alisonjacquesgallery.com/

Fondation Cartier and Patti Smith

After Agnes Varda, and David Lynch, (see previous post ) the Cartier Foundation will dedicate a large exhibition to Patti Smith starting next 28th March. Looking back at her graphic and visual works the singer, who takes her inspiration from Rimbaud among many others, will give access to her drawings, texts and pictures...

More soon.

To learn more : www.fondation.cartier.com