The words, “ORIGIN OF COTTON”, written on the concrete walls of New York City in Basquiat’s film, District 81.
Film credit: Edo Bertolglio
Edo, Bertolglio. “Origin of Cotton.” https://www.edobertoglio.com/basquiat-edo-bertoglio?lightbox=dataItem-kyk5f3av.
It reminds us of his thought process during the time, and who Basquiat is. I deemed him as some who had the “unapologetic gene”.
For example:
Your art doesn’t have the unapologetic gene, because you’re afraid to express your feelings, and your rights of freedom of speech isn’t exercised, what a waste.
Harsh words, but who isn’t worried about what someone feels about their art. Until you have the unapologetic gene, you’ll never know.
Writing “ ORIGIN OF COTTON” on a wall is in the realm of the unapologetic gene, because the world of today’s opinions are politically based on wither “Origin of Cotton“ should, or shouldn’t be discussed in classrooms.
The unapologetic gene is what got Nazis calling Jack Kirby’s publication station and asking him for a fist fight, because of his drawings of Captain America beating up Nazi soldiers.
A few take-aways from Terrance Baldwin’s Ville Stories.
