FROM THE VAULTS : JEAN MICHEL BASQUIAT : DOWNTOWN 81

ONE FROM THE VAULTS
An occasional series of recommended films, books and other moves and grooves from yours truly.

DOWNTOWN 81
JMB with music from LIQUID LIQUID, BLONDIE & SUICIDE amongst others INCLUDING HIS OWN BAND GRAY. what more could you want ! Watch the film, download the album. Both readily available on Amazon


DOWNTOWN 81 is a feature film starring the legendary American artist Jean Michel Basquiat (1960-1988.) Basquiat was a 19 year old painter, graffiti artist, poet and musician when he played the lead in this film, which vividly depicts the explosive downtown New York art and music scene of 1980-81. Basquiat was an important figure on that scene. He had yet to have his first exhibition. But his paintings and words were part of the city landscape. Today, his paintings hang in museums and important collections around the world and he is internationally recognized as one of the most important artists of the late twentieth century.