It once was that the easiest way to have an art show labeled edgy, influential, or provocative is to put up a few Mapplethorpes. In the 20 years since his death, the photographer who lent a similar sensuality to erect penises and loaves of bread has seen his popularity edge toward the mainstream — though even today displays of his work raise issues of artistic censorship. Most recently Stockholm's Fotografiska Museum took issue with Facebook's censorship of promotional images for their "Robert Mapplethorpe" exhibition. Not to mention the surge of Mapplethorpe mania with the release and critical success of Patti Smith's memoir "Just Kids." For now, Mapplethorpe's legacy is one that contemporary photographers must contend with.  

In 2003, Sean Kelly Gallery in New York was entrusted with representing the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. That same year Sean Kelly asked Cindy Sherman to curate a show from the Mapplethorpe archive. That first exhibition led to six others around the world of Mapplethorpe's work curated by contemporary artists: Catherine Opie in Los Angeles, David Hockney in London, Vik Muniz in Sao Paulo, Hedi Slimane in Paris, Robert Wilson in Salzburg, and Sterling Ruby in Brussels.

Now all seven exhibitions have been collected into a new book "Mapplethorpe X7" which reproduces every work from all seven exhibitions with an accompanying interview conducted by New Museum curator-at-large Richard Flood with each artist curator. Some artists knew Mapplethorpe personally — Robert Wilson and David Hockney share personal anecdotes — while others know him only in his images: Cindy Sherman and Vik Muniz theorize about Mapplethorpe's philosophy on beauty.

Here, ARTINFO has paired the artist's comments with selected works from their exhibits. Click the slide show at left to check it out.