My first guest post! Please welcome Caitlin O’Connell, a Brooklyn Native, foodie, and tumblr-er (yes, another Brooklyn-loving Caitlin).Check out her latest trip to the Brooklyn Museum, specifically the Keith Harning exhibit.
Keith Haring’s signature images—the barking dog, radiant baby, and running figure—though now synonymous with street art, strike a deeper, nostalgic connection with New York City art-goers. His works evoke the gritty New York City of the 1980s and 90s, when subways cars were outfitted in outrageous graffiti and the East Village was still an authentic bohemian scene. Granted I hadn’t been born yet and so I missed these raw years in the city’s history, but I can still appreciate the culture that Haring was working in and the urban influences that shaped his art.
A current exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum (on view through July 8) pays homage to Haring’s early career in the city, beginning with his enrollment in the School of Visual Arts in 1978. Walking in, visitors are greeted by a massive black and white untitled work set against a deep red wall, three colors characteristic of Haring’s art. The exhibit incorporates a variety of media, including some experimental videos, posters, and private journal sketches. My favorite part of the exhibit is a small dark hallway that contains a collection of the chalk subway drawings that cemented Haring’s status as a pop artist (unfortunately no photos allowed!).
A central theme of the exhibit is Haring’s belief that art is for everyone, and I think the curator was successful in conveying his message. Collectively, the exhibit has a somewhat personal feel, like not only getting a glimpse into the artist’s mind but also a piece of his life in New York City. For example, one poster beckons an unknown audience to continue to Mercer Street for what I imagine would be a really cool time.
I always love a visit to the Brooklyn Museum, and this exhibit made me feel all warm and New Yorker-y. So, go!
And just for fun, children of the 90s: anyone else remember this funky “Exit” video Keith Haring did for Sesame Street?
Two years ago this weekend, I moved from Manhattan to Brooklyn Heights, and coincidentally, I spent my two year anniversary moving again, but this time to Carroll Gardens. Looking back though my posts, it feels like I’ve been here for much longer, which makes me excited to see where I’ll be two years from now.
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