Essay by Patti Smith: Art Rats in New York City
In 1967, I arrived at the Port Authority Bus Terminal with a plaid suitcase, driven by the dream of becoming an artist. Though I might have lacked some skills, my determination to cultivate them was strong, fueled by a deep belief in my calling. It came as an ecstatic vision, without deals or expectations from divine forces. I knew I faced the journey alone but hoped to find a kindred spirit. Providence brought me Robert Mapplethorpe.
Robert Mapplethorpe was an American raised in a strict Catholic family. He played saxophone in his high school band and earned an R.O.T.C. scholarship to study graphic arts at Pratt Institute. His mother wished for him to join the priesthood, while his father expected him to rise through the military ranks, with commercial art as a fallback. Robert had pale skin, green eyes, and tightly cropped dark curly hair.
Following his father’s plan, Robert was rewarded with an apartment, shiny knee-high leather riding boots, and a monthly allowance. At Pratt, he excelled as a draftsman and initially followed the expected path. Yet, beneath the surface, a different self was emerging. By age twenty, Robert had set aside his saxophone, his robes, and his rifle. Facing the mirror, he no longer saw a priest or a future R.O.T.C. captain.
"There was no Faustian pact connected with my vow, no expectations from godly elements."
"I knew I would be on my own, yet still hoped for a compatriot, and Providence led me to him."
"At the age of twenty, Robert laid down his saxophone, his robes, and his rifle. He looked in the mirror and saw neither a priest nor a future captain in the R.O.T.C."
Author’s Summary: Patti Smith’s essay reveals the early artistic ambitions and personal transformations of both herself and Robert Mapplethorpe, connected by fate in New York City.