More Mapplethorpe

I just learned of yet another NYC exhibit I sadly cannot attend. Robert Mapplethorpe (whose work I like more every millisecond) is most known for his explorations of the underground S&M scene of 1970s New York. The reputation that came with that work leads him to be either popularized or devalued, depending on what critic you read. 

This show is different. It asked fifty regular Americans from all over the country to look at 2,000 of his images and pick their favorite. They had to state why they picked the work and what it meant to them. Here's a slideshow where the choosers explain why. I found several pieces I'd never seen before.