Why did I write about other artists’ lives in Keanu Reeves’ Art & Speed?

When we would like to get to know somebody, it is a good idea to meet his friends as well. Unfortunately, in the case of a famous actor we cannot do it, but we still have a few possibilities. One of them is to gather information about artists who are close to him or in relationship with him somehow.

Keanu is a versatile person

When we talk about Keanu Reeves, we are talking about a particularly a complex subject. He is an intellectual person with encyclopedic knowledge: we can call him a ‘walking encyclopedia’. He is interested in different dimensions of the art world, so he is interested in many artists from past and present as well. But that's just another reason to respect and like him even more.

Although it may seem strange, for me it was obvious that I should write more about the artists who have had some connection with Keanu, highlighting the most important aspects of their work. The lives and the world of these artists is colourful and full of magic. Let us get to know it better.

In the course of my research I gathered several pieces of information that even the more knowledgeable reader may not know. I knew for sure that this information deserved a place in my book. This is a specialist book, full of information, showing my appreciation for Keanu Reeves' great talent and comprehensive knowledge.

Keanu and the music

In addition to the Dogstar band, it was necessary to introduce the actor’s favourite musicians based on his various interview responses, and I also had to write about the Anvil band and the documentary titled Anvil! The Story of Anvil.

I've always tried to be objective, but I have a few favourite stories that have come up about musicians. I would like to mention two of them. The first interesting story is about Robert Johnson, who was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician. It is the myth about what happened to Robert Johnson at the crossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He wanted to play the blues, but he was not really good, people laughed at him. He disappeared for a little while. When he came back, his music was startling, even excellent. Musicians wanted to know what happened. Johnson explained: “I went out to the crossroads just before midnight, and when the devil offered to tune his guitar in exchange for my soul, I took the deal.” And Johnson became the very first rock star, but he had little commercial success in his lifetime. It's an interesting story and I'm sure Keanu knows it too. So why not tell this tale to others as well? You can read about it in Keanu Reeves' Art & Speed.

Keanu paintings and the music

The second story tells about the music and fine art connection in Keanu’s mind. Keanu was invited to an exhibition opening of Paul Gauguin paintings at a museum in Reihen, Switzerland in February 2015, where he read from a book entitled Noa Noa, Gauguin’s travel journal in Tahiti. The actor has a special link to Polynesia: his father comes from Hawaii and he spent holidays on the island as a child. His answer to the question of which kind of music would sound good with these Gauguin’s paintings was: “There’s something in some of the later John Coltrane.” John Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Paintings can be easily connected with special music in Keanu’s mind. We should try to imitate Keanu and when we go to a museum, we can think about what kind of music paintings remind us of.

Keanu and fine arts

Keanu supports artists and artworks. So, I wrote about interesting painters and their works as well. For example, Robert Longo, who is an American painter, sculptor and visual artist, has a connection with Keanu Reeves. Do you know how? Keanu worked together with Longo on his sci-fi action movie Johnny Mnemonic (1995). It’s worthy of note that Robert Longo directed this film.

You can read more, much more,about all this in the book Keanu Reeves' Art & Speed.