Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures

THE GIST: The story of how Robert Mapplethorpe came to be one of the most influential and controversial artists of the 20th century.

Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures is a really extraordinary examination of a photographer who lived his life so outrageously, freely, and according to his own rules, it's hard to fathom.

He was revered and influential almost from the start of his career precisely because of his aesthetic and his ability to create art from the most ordinary objects, like flowers, or the most taboo, like the human body, including its sexuality.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I knew some of Mapplethorpe's work, but I was not aware of its breadth and scope. This is definitely an eye-opener. If you like art, especially photography, don't miss it.

Grade: 8