You do not go unprepared to see a retrospective of Keith Haring (1958-1990)- especially when the title is «The Political Line». The exhibition gives a real insight into his work but even more so into the profoundly political character of his approach throughout his career.
Everyone knows Haring as all over the world there are artifacts, posters, badges and people wearing them.
 |
| Safe Sex |
Sometimes when I see one, I ask myself «does the person know what that represents?» A Pop Idol and undoubtedly one of the most celebrated artists of his time with an inimitable style. He had shows with the best of them. Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Roy Lichenstein or Robert Rauschenberg - artists I have talked about in different chapters over these last two years. His popularity came through the political statements he made which marked his entire career.
For Keith Haring, art was however not political but his statements were ways of getting a message across to everybody. He was involved with children’s health, combatting the ravages of crack and Aids - which of course killed him in 1990. He denounced nuclear power, destruction to the environment, racism, ....he was impelled by an impulsive way of drawing without any preliminaries putting all his energy into art which of course made what you see authentic. Perhaps in a way it was a political act for him. it certainly was a statement during the last months of his life - drawing, painting was an act of resistance against death.
There were over 200 works in this exhibition, which I gather is the largest ever. There was a group of small children visiting with a couple of art teachers. 8 years old? They were all very attentive, laughing at the penis or other brutal images and giving their own explanations to the questions asked. I was prepared for what I was going to see - I came out feeling as if I had been belted in the guts.
The children were having lunch and giggling when I came out some two hours later. I needed a drink.....
 |
| 1982 |
Here is the sequence of what I saw
THE INDIVIDUAL AGAINST THE STATE 1982
Rebellion - against the power over individuals.....
Artists attacked by barking dogs, the figures torn apart by giant hands.....
CAPITALISM
He was radically opposed to unfettered consumption.....He revolts against the USA and the $$$$$. He also admires Andy Warhol but figures him as Micky Mouse. It’s Andy who encourages him to open a Pop Shop in 1986 for his T-Shirts etc.
An admirer of Andy Warhol, he shows him as Mickey Mouse in a few of his works. The archyetypal of an artist/business man
WORKS IN PUBLIC PLACE
These are his subway drawings......
 |
| He draws and you telephone....!!! |
These perhaps bought him to fame....his subway drawings. Prolific as there were over 5000 of them - everybody could see them.
RELIGION
He was brought up in a religious setting but brings an objective eye to religion although he respects individual beliefs.
 |
| Moses and the burning bush - 1985 |
From his point of view, "a lot of evil in this world is done in the name of good (religion, false prohets, bullshit artists, politicians, business men")
MASS MEDIA
Even in his time, he considered it a threat; sometimes the TV or computer screens replace the human brain and he sends up his own popularity with his connections with people like Jean-Michel Basquiat....
As you can see, the human brain is replaced by a computer....and isn't this what we are doing?
RACISIM
He was disgusted by all forms of discrimination - for him the «wicked white man» stands for plunder, despotism, slavery and the creation of poverty. When he arrived in New York he was surprised by the diversity and hangs out with minority groups.
Throughout his career he adressed sociopolitical issues and this is where you see how committed he is to minority groups.
NUCLEAR THREAT
When the ecology movement takes off, he is ready to back every attempt to protect the planet - «we know that humans determine the future of this planet. We have the power to destroy and create.»
He financed a huge anti-nuclear rally in Central Park in June 1982 when he paid for thousands of give away posters...
LAST WORKS: Sex, AIDS and death.
He made no secret of his homosexuality when he arrived in New York and his sex life was totally unrestrained which you see in his work. The self portrait is an example. Dots all over his face. The fight then becomes personal and he gets involved by producing posters urging safe sex.....and because his is now well known by the public, perhaps it is his art which says what no-one else would have dared to at that period.
 |
| self portrait |
 |
| Unfinished painting 1989 |
 |
| walking in the rain 1989 |
It is very rare that he gives a title to his work. There is a date but now let me show you and over all projection of that exhibition. You will see for yourself that it is not too difficult to classify his work into the different sections I gave above....
 |
| Andy Warhol |
 |
| capitalism |
 |
| Paris |
 |
| Anti nuclear 1982 |
 |
| When the wall well |
 |
| Berlin |
 |
| The tree of life 1984 |
 |
| Self portrait 1985 |
 |
| 1989 |
 |
| 1989 |
I must have taken over 100 photos but these are just a few to show the diversity of his work.
If I know a little about Keith Haring, it is because my Mother and I lost many friends over that period - it was «hell» but the Americans concerned had often spoken about K.H.
Commentaires