Black White Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe

Black White + Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe is a multifaceted and richly intimate documentary which premiered in 2007. This emotive film, directed by James Crump, delves into the complex, enigmatic, and influential lives of two cultural icons: art curator and collector Sam Wagstaff and his protegé and lover, the controversial photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.

The film meticulously unfolds their intertwined lives, passion, and transformative relationships, told through the lens of art, culture, and sexuality during the epoch of the 1960s to 1980s. The narrative beautifully portrays Wagstaff's pivotal role as a mentor to Mapplethorpe, helping him evolve from an aspiring artist into a bold, globe-trotting photographer who is now considered one of the potent forces in 20th-century art.

The film opens with the exploration of Sam Wagstaff's early life and his remarkable career. He was a Yale-educated, upper-class aesthete who turned away from his birthright of wealth to indulge in New York's bohemian life. He metamorphosed into a pioneering curator of contemporary art, notably staging the landmark exhibition, "Black, White, and Gray" in 1964. His interest evolved from European and contemporary art to photography, a medium then considered inferior art, shaping it into a well recognized and collected form.

Pierre Apraxine, a personal friend and the curator of Wagstaff's estate, provides a unique understanding of Wagstaff's eccentricities and his contributions to the world of art. Also, Dominick Dunne, who as a Vanity Fair contributor and Hollywood producer knew both Wagstaff and Mapplethorpe, added layers to the narrative with his insights and reflections.

In the second part of the film, the audience meets Robert Mapplethorpe, a rebel from a Catholic Queens neighborhood, and his unconventional journey into art. Mapplethorpe's foray into photography was largely fueled by Wagstaff’s unwavering support and their intimate relationship. The documentary gracefully explores Mapplethorpe's artistic growth, from his initial polaroids and collages to his homoerotic and controversial sadomasochistic imagery and the beautiful portraits of artists and celebrities.

Woven throughout the film are intimate interviews with friends and collaborators, such as musician Patti Smith, Mapplethorpe’s former lover and eternal muse. Her insightful and poignant perspectives reveal her direct and profound experiences with both men.

In addition to the interviews, the film uses archival footage and images, effectively lacing a thread of authenticity and vividness that accentuates the narrative's complexity. A particular highlight is Mapplethorpe’s powerful and provocative work that reflected his exploration of sexuality and his journey as an HIV positive man in the 1980s until his death.

The documentary tastefully navigates through their controversial lives and their complex relationship while painting a larger picture of the significant cultural shift taking place during their active years. Their influence extended beyond the art world, blurring the lines of sexual and cultural norms, becoming trailblazers of a significant societal and cultural shift.

In Black White + Gray, Dick Cavett contributes significantly, providing narrative analysis and social context, helping audiences to comprehend the impact of Wagstaff and Mapplethorpe’s lifestyle and work on the art world and society.

Brightly coloured by the memorable anecdotes from the interviewees, the film is not just a visual feast but an in-depth exploration into the abstract and tangible aspects of art and human relationships. Supplemented by an atmospheric soundtrack, the film firmly situates the viewer in the time and place of the narrative, offering an immersive and introspective experience.

Black White + Gray successfully tackles a myriad of layered subjects, from the personal to the social, sexuality, love, friendship, and art; all interwoven together to present an utterly human and immersive exploration of two profound lives. It’s an enlightening and emotional journey through the lives of Wagstaff and Mapplethorpe and an ode to their lasting legacy in the world of art and beyond.

In conclusion, Black White + Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe provides a lovingly detailed and altogether compelling exploration into the lives of two notable figures whose contributions to art were groundbreaking and whose personal and professional relationship had a remarkable profundity that echoed well beyond their lifetime. This captivating documentary provides a window into the cultural shift of an era, the transformation in acceptance of diverse sexual identities, and the evolution of artistic expression.