Artworks replicas from Spike Lee's collection take center stage in the exhibition titled 'Highest 2 Lowest'
In Spike Lee's newest film, Highest 2 Lowest, the luxurious apartment of the protagonist, music mogul David King (played by Denzel Washington), is a visual masterpiece. The film showcases an impressive collection of artwork, directly from Lee's personal art collection, serving as the visual foundation for King's Dumbo penthouse.
The collection includes works by renowned artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kehinde Wiley, Deborah Roberts, Gordon Parks, Henry Taylor, and many more. These pieces reflect King's powerful and royal stature, as they adorn the walls of his penthouse.
Production designer Mark Friedberg drew inspiration primarily from Lee's own art trove to create this setting. The film features about 450 objects, ranging from paintings and movie posters to apparel and musical instruments, that highlight the artists and artworks influential to Lee himself. This close integration of Lee’s personal collection underscores the film’s connection between art, identity, and cultural status.
The film Highest 2 Lowest, an English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 police drama High and Low, follows a day in the life of David King as he plans to buy back shares of his record label, Stackin' Hits, for $17.5 million. The plot involves a kidnapping of King's son Trey, and the subsequent test of King's integrity.
In addition to the artistic decor, the film also features pieces from Andy Warhol's "Muhammed Ali" series from 1973, Tim Okamura's 1993 portrait of Toni Morrison, and a print of Shepard Fairey's Kamala Harris FORWARD poster hung in Trey's bedroom. The film also uses reproductions of several Basquiats, including Horn Players (1983) and Now's the Time (1985), for its decor.
Highest 2 Lowest opened in theaters on August 15 and will stream on Apple TV+ starting on September 5. The film aims to portray David King as a man of wealth and creativity, while also testing his integrity. With its stunning visuals and gripping plot, Highest 2 Lowest is a must-watch for fans of Spike Lee and Denzel Washington alike.
[1] Source: Artnet [4] Source: The New York Times
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