Jean-Michel Basquiat "Words are All We Have" The Inaugural Show at the Brant Fdtn in NYC

The highly anticipated opening of the Brant Fdtn. in New York City's East Village is inaugurated fittingly by the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat as this is the neighborhood from which Basquiat's prolific paintings sprung from the 1970s until his death in 1988.  The impressive newly renovated Brandt Fdtn. stands out as a polished & prestigious building in its neighborhood.  The century old building was original a Con Edison plant until it was owned by the sculptor & composer Walter De Maria from mid-1980s until his death in 2013.  The building has over 7,000' of exhibition space splayed over 4 floors.  The floors can be accessed by a staircase with floor to ceiling glass opening onto the galleries.  The 4 levels also have floor to ceiling window letting in plenty of natural light.  The top floor has a sun window in the ceiling containing water which offers an interesting aesthetic but will require constant cleaning.  The roof outdoor patio was not yet accessible.   The collection consists of 70 of Basquiat works including the untitled large skull painting sold at a Sotheby's auction in 2018 for more than $110 million.  The most important master works  from the Brant collection,  museums and private collection.  Many of these pieces have never been shown in NYC.  There's plenty of suggestive dichotomies found in "Words are All We Have".   Note the painting "Irony of a Negro Policeman" '81 and the diptych portraits of Warhol next to his self-portrait.  The works interpose images of wealth v. poverty, segregation v. integration.  Basquiat complex, street-art is imbedded with syntax and social commentary.  There are homage paintings to Basquiat's heroes   Muhammad Ali, Charlie Parker and Sugar Ray Robinson.  There is plenty to see and mull over in Basquiat's text and cryptic messages.  Basquiat use of syntax proves him to be a very poetic and conceptional artist.  Admission to the Brand Fdtn in NYC is free but reservations are required limiting the influx of guests which makes viewing the art more accessible and enjoyable.