Jay-Z admiring an untitled painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat (1983)
For too long there has been a large divide (whether real or imagined) between visual art and music. After all, what we’ve come to call art most likely formed out of traditional ceremonies in which music, dance, shrines, costumes, and ritual objects all work together. For whatever reason, visual arts became largely separated from music, except for costume and stage design for musical performances. Recently, however, I’ve noticed popular musicians embracing the visual arts once again. Like many old boundaries that have been collapsing, today’s musicians and artists often work with or reference one another in an increasingly direct way.
Screen capture from the music video for Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” (2009), referencing Andy Warhol
I was really inspired to start looking for examples of this cultural collapse when I saw Rihanna’s music video for “Rude Boy.” In it, the singer had several obvious nods (like the one seen above) to pop artist Andy Warhol, especially his “
Marilyn Monroe’s Lips” (1962). Rihanna also makes a great reference (see below) to
Keith Haring‘s intricate drawing style and body-painting practices (see this photograph by
Annie Leibovitz for comparison).
Screen capture from the music video for Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” (2009) with homage to Keith Haring.
Jay-Z was recently featured in an advertisement (seen at top) for a fancy cognac called D’Ussé. The rapper is pictured while admiring a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat, “Untitled,” (1983) (hat tip to Benjamin Sutton at ARTINFO,
here). The ad is no surprise, considering Jay-Z has rapped about famous artists in the past.....
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