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| © Francesco Scavullo Editions |
| Sam Wagstaff by Francesco Scavullo. Click photo to see more images. |
In the 1970s New York art scene, Sam Wagstaff was a revolutionary figure. As a curator he organized the first exhibition of Minimalist art and championed avant-garde talents like Andy Warhol. Later, as a collector, he would push the market irrevocably toward more personal, less academic photography.
When he died in 1987, Wagstaff left behind a photography collection worth $5 million at the Getty Museum -- and very few solid facts about his life. Over the years history built up his romantic and artistic partner Robert Mapplethorpe, and seemed to sweep Wagstaff under the rug.
Now former book publisher and Arena Editions founder James Crump has written, produced, and directed a new documentary film to bring this influential collector back into the light. In early April I had a chance to screen Black White + Gray, which will premier at the Tribeca Film Festival on May 1 and will be the opening night film at the Rencontres d'Arles photography festival in July. In the following audio interview (in two parts for your downloading pleasure), Crump discusses the symbiotic relationship between Wagstaff, Mapplethorpe, and punk poetess Patti Smith, and what you can learn about a man by sifting through more than 5,000 of his photos.
Podcast I:
Why Wagstaff is worth making a movie about, how said movie got made, and why James Crump fancied himself the man to make it.
Click here to launch a slideshow with the interview, right click here and "Save as..." to download, or subscribe to our podcast feeds here.
Podcast II:
Reintroducing Wagstaff's A Book of Photographs, reassessing the talented Mr. Mapplethorpe, and remembering it all through the eyes of Patti Smith.
Click here to launch a slideshow with the interview, right click here and "Save as..." to download, or subscribe to our podcast feeds here.
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