New York Daily Photo Analytics

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Keith

Keith Haring was a NYC based artist and sculptor, known for his grafitti art and social activism. In the early 1980s, I had the privilege of meeting Keith numerous times while working on a collaborative business venture. People frequently ask what he was like. My experience was that he was always charming and really knew his Pantone colors. You can read more about him here. The work in the photo is a recreation of a piece done by Keith in 1982. From the Deitch Foundation website:
"The Keith Haring Foundation, Goldman Properties and Deitch Projects announce the recreation of Keith Haring’s celebrated Houston Street and Bowery mural. The mural became an instant downtown landmark after Keith painted it in the summer of 1982. The mural was up for only a few months in the summer of 1982 before it was painted out but its image remains imprinted in the memory of many people who were part of the downtown artist community in the early 1980s.
The mural is being repainted by Gotham Scenic using the extensive photographic documentation of the original work. The work will be unveiled on May 4, 2008 the day that would have been Keith Haring’s 50th Birthday."

In this photo, you can see some of Keith's signature images, including his atomic symbol, dancing men and funhouse characters. I find it apropos that the work is done on a slab of concrete, with weeds growing in front and framed on one side with barbed wire chain link fencing. I think Keith would have approved ...

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this picture! I saw the mural last May when I was in NY... but I did not remember where exactly it was!
In Paris there is also one of his piece in St Eustache church. I discovered this artist with that work.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/monceau/98772065/in/set-72057594063223957/

Mary Helen said...

awesome!
Mary

Anonymous said...

I seriously love Haring. I am taking in to consideration the idea of choosing him as a topic for my graduation thesis.
Lucky you to have met him in person!
F.

Anonymous said...

I like your city. Unfortunately, I had never been there. Maybe some day ))