Basquiat’s Eternal Appeal
“Unbreakable” by Jean-Michele Basquiat features heavily in Alice + Olivia’s latest collection, in collaboration with the estate of Basquiat.
It feels like the break of dawn, but it’s only 7am as I’m rushing down 7th Ave, my largest suitcase and a duffle bag in tow, hoping to make my train. What might have been a picturesque scene of store owners hosing down the sidewalk in front of their respective establishments only caused me further consternation as I struggled to lift my extra-large suitcase over the hoses.
This was an impromptu trip for my birthday, but even more special than that was the exclusive invitation that I garnered thanks to a long-standing partnership with my Alice + Olivia representative. I’ve been shopping with her for ~3 years now and have wanted to be more engaged with the brand. Finally, my loyalty was awarded with an invitation to the launch event for the A+O x Jean-Michele Basquiat Collection. That the event happened to take place the day after my birthday was a coincidence (or fate!).
I was able to find a good rate at The Motto Hotel in Times Square. The location was amazing, less than 2 blocks from the TKTS booth and the selfie stairs. I immediately took note of the pizza place across the street – because, you know, whenever I’m in town I’m going to grab a slice! The room itself was compact, but stylish, and thoughtfully designed. Featuring a murphy bed that you could tuck against the wall to reveal the sofa, the “bathroom” consisted of a toilette side by side with the shower, both encased in frosted glass. The sink doubled as the armoire, with a single rod extending from the wall to the countertop. It was tight, but for just me for just one night, it was perfect!
After a “power nap,” I hustled across several blocks to reach the Subway, hitching up my tulle skirt, and stopping to grab a McChicken sandwich on the way (so much for trying out “Pink Tacos”). I’m not sure the gentleman sitting next to me appreciated me eating my sandwich on the train, especially when my water bottle sloshed a few drops on him.
Once in Chelsea, I found an Alice + Olivia store and walked in but no, the event was in the warehouse building immediately next door. I found very beautiful, serious-looking ladies with iPads and got myself checked in, feeling Very Very VIP.
Once inside, my eyes had to adjust from the dark, gray world out on the street to a visual barrage of color and light! First to come into view, a “selfie” station, if you can call it that…. a floor to ceiling mural featuring sketches from Basquiat’s work such as the famous crown, and eye, as well as the words “unbreakable” and “thesis” …more of a work of art than a simple backdrop for selfies.
Taking center stage, a ginormous recreation of a cassette tape in vibrant shades of yellow and blue. Throughout the night a very brave model stood naked, while an artist covered her from head to toe in matching blue and yellow body paint, in a stiped pattern. This project took the entire evening!
As you walked around the room, models stood inside different “moments” that had been created with various backdrops and props, splashed with streaks of paint and more images from Basquiat’s work, all designed to look as though the model were standing inside a messy artist’s studio. In one corner of the room, in a brilliant example of audience engagement, guests could scribble themselves on huge canvases designed for the purpose! More selfie stations around the room, one that was also being used to post the Polaroid pictures that every guest got to take. (I didn’t post mine; I took it home as a souvenir – it is currently wedged into my vanity mirror alongside my model badge from NYFW.) Even the two bars flanking either side of the room were vibrantly colored in streaks of red and yellow paint. As stunning as the visual effects, the DJ had the energy to match! A slender, beautiful young woman with her hair styled in braided ponytails perched akimbo on either side of her head, she bounced and danced around in her booth with seemingly endless energy. Clearly, she had done her research, as her playlist clearly echoed the 70’s and 80’s era in which Basquiat was famous. She was even kind enough to honor my request to play The Smiths – first the classic, “There is a Light that Never Goes Out,” but then she moved on to some deeper cuts. I later found out that Kesha is somewhat of a celebrity herself, with a graphic design that was allegedly poached by Versace and has put her in the public eye ever since.
Amid this phantasmagoric scene, the collection itself still managed to shine. I personally fell in love with every piece, and immediately upon my return home, purchased three. Bright colors and graphic designs, all in honor of Basquiat’s style, primarily from his “Unbreakable” and “He Was Crazy” works. I confess to not having heard of Jean-Michele Basquiat until tonight, so if you are like me, read on for a brief bio. Otherwise, feel free to skip ahead.
If you’re familiar with the “Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse” series, then think of Miles Morales. Born in 1960 in Park Slope, Brooklyn to a Haitian father and Puerto Rican mother, Basquiat showed his talent early on, and was encouraged by his mother. After her psychological struggles left Basquiat in the care of his father at the age of 10, he rebelled by dropping in and out of school, and occasionally leaving home to sleep in the streets. He continued his artistic career creating graffiti art in the Lower East Side with friend Al Diaz, who called themselves “SAMO” for “Same Old Shit.” Referencing religion, racism, class disparity, and colonization the two neo-expressionist artists were discovered by The Village Voice who issued a piece about them in 1978. Basquiat made critical connections with pop cultural behemoths such as Andy Warhol and Keith Haring. In addition to his artwork, Basquiat dabbled in music, fashion design and filmmaking. While filming he met Debbie Harry, lead singer of Blondie, who became the 1st to officially purchase a Basquiat painting. By 1980 Basquiat and Al Diaz had split ways. Basquiat rose to prominence in the gallery world, becoming the youngest artist ever to exhibit in Documenta in Germany at the age of 21. More shows followed – a solo exhibition in the East Village in 1983, in which same year he was the youngest artist at the Whitney Biennial Exhibition of Contemporary Art. He toured with Bob Marley, he walked the runway for Comme des Garcons, and at the Area nightclub where he was a regular, he often DJ’d. By the mid-80’s, he was making $1.4 million a year, but fell deeper into drug use, including cocaine and heroin. Many speculate that his increased use which led to death by overdose in 1988 was in part a reaction to the death of Andy Warhol, who had become a close friend, in 1987. Another very close friend and collaborator, Michael Stewart, had also died in 1983, as a result of police violence. During his 10-year career, Basquiat produced 1,500 drawings, 600 paintings, as well as various multi-media works. Consistently speaking out against cultural racism and addressing class disparity, Basquiat’s work resounds with us today as much as ever.
I’m happy to share that after this wonderous night, I did manage to make my train on time, despite those damn hoses. I hope you have enjoyed my BTS commentary on one of the best nights of my life!
~Kristina
