Robert+Longo

=Robert Longo= was chosen because of how he exemplifies the 1980s crossover artist. He was not only a photographer, but also one of the very first music video directors, and later feature-length movies. =Facts:=
 * Born 1953, still alive
 * Lived with Photographer Cindy Sherman in the early 1980s
 * 1981, "Men in the Cities" Exhibit thrusts Longo into the "art star" category
 * Directed several music videos, including New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" and "The One I Love" by R.E.M.
 * Created the front cover of the Replacements' 1985 album //Tim//.
 * Directed the [|cyberpunk] movie //Johnny Mnemonic//
 * During the late 1980s and early 1990s, developed a number of performance art theatre pieces, such as "Marble Fog" and "Killing Angels."
 * Leader and guitarist of a musical act called Robert Longo's Menthol Wars, which performed punk experimental music in New York rock clubs in the late 1970s. During the same period, he also performed with Rhys Chatham in Chatham's Guitar Trio, producing a series of slowly fading slides entitled "//Pictures for Music", which was played behind the musicians.//

[|Quote] from the Broad Art Foundation "Longo's project as a visual artist involves the exploration of the importance of images in popular culture, and the investigation of stereotypical depictions of the individual's alienation within a complex society. His works almost demand to be consumed by the viewer in an instant. Central to the mood of Longo's pictures is the depiction of violent physicality and psychological angst motivated by a undefined source left to the viewer's speculation."

"One thing that became difficult in the '80s was that we went into Metro Pictures as a group, but once the gallery opened and shows started to happen, it became clear who was going to get more attention and the group started to disintegrate. Friendships were strained. There was an excitement, even if it was a competitive excitement. Unfortunately the greed-is-good mentality overrode it, but it was a blossoming moment--so much about art had been taken apart and rearranged and given back to us with new parts to work with. It was our time to shine; little did I know burnout would be the next stage." --Robert Longo in Art Forum Artwork Portrait of the Artist Music Videos by Robert Longo A Choreographed Slideshow of Robert Longo's "Men In the Cities" Exhibit =Web Sites of Interest=

[|Wikipedia Article on Robert Longo] [|A Slideshow of his Work from Metropictures] (Longo's Gallery) [|Mary Haus-Robert Longo Interview (Print) from Art Forum]