Polaroid by Maripol, 1985. Keith Haring with Deborah Mazar
Around the same time as Keith Haring’s Parisian retrospective at the Musée d’art Moderne de la Ville de Paris opened last week, and in line with a sale at Sotheby’s to help restore the artist’s work, Colette features “Keith Haring and Fashion Curated by Maripol.” The event in Colette, on view until the May 4, displays portraits of Haring, along with books, photographs, and music related to the artist and his prolific career.
Maripol, born in France, was part of the early ‘80s New York scene of artists, dancers and performers and documented their heady lives with her instant Polaroid SX-70. She also designed jewellery for Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” tour for which she garnered fame. Her illustrious career also involves art directing and producing films, including “Downtown 81”, “Just an American Boy” by Amos Poe and “Dated” by Edo Bertoglio. She was a close friend of Haring.
Sleek: What was the pulse of fashion like back then, in the early ‘80s? Maripol: It was less calculated and way more creative. It’s difficult to see now things that have not already been done in the past. But the craftsmanship is more and more amazing!
©Louis Jammes 1985
Tell us about this project with Colette. How did it come about? We proposed it to Colette. Then they planned the mix of photographs and the vintage pieces of collaborations with other designers like Vivienne Westwood etcetera that you see in the store, all as part of the “Keith Haring and Fashion” project. I also directed a documentary on Keith Haring for the show opening at the Musee d’art Moderne de la Ville de Paris.What was it like working on this collaboration? It was fun! I have done similar projects. I have travelled all over for work… Paris, London, Tokyo, LA, Hong Kong. “Maripolarama” in Tokyo for the release of my first book in 2005 was also fun.
You do a variety of things: you’re a designer, photographer, producer, director. Which of these do you consider yourself most versed in? Design and photography
Are you going to continue working with Polaroids? Yes, and I also use the very large format. Over the years, I’ve done 150 portraits in black and white.
What are some plans for the future? I am doing some exhibitions in Brazil, and a new book with Le Livre Art Publishing of compilations of never before published erotic poetry and Polaroids.
What do you consider your best work so far? My book called “Little Red Riding Hood” (2010, Damiani).
Interview by Ria de Borja
www.colette.fr
©Louis Jammes 1985