Those of you who are photographers or Patti Smith fans may know of a mystical book written by Ms. Smith entitled The Coral Sea. It is relevant to photography because it is a chronicle of her friendship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, known for his sometimes controversial exhibits. Unfortunately, Mapplethorpe was also diagnosed at an early age as being HIV-positive due to experiences with other males.Patti Smith chose to write this book when Mapplethorpe asked her not to weep for his sickness. She begins telling of the first time she saw him, when he was 20 and asleep. The dream spiral begins to unwind and the undercurrent, the rich emotion and countless parallels are strikingly similiar to the story chronicled by "Hush Hush Hush". Please read on for more about Robert Mapplethorpe.
