Keith Haring Exhibition

Last night I went to the discounted night at the Keith Haring exhibition at The De Young Museum.

Just walking to the exhibit was spectacular, a mere 3 stops from my house lay a secret and magical part of The Golden Park complete with lawns and fountains that glowed with coloured lights. I wondered as me and my house mate approached the romantic hidden spot, is she trying to tell me something? Unfortunately she was not…

We walked on towards the exhibit swiftly because an unattended child sat alone by the fountain in the darkness and what was a beautiful moment quickly became a creepy and haunting moment. Who was this child alone in the park? It was creepy, we walked onwards…

The Keith Haring exhibit was interestingly curated, and began with a sequence of sketches with his iconic running figure. The sequence was economic with it’s use of lines, to the point, and politically engaging. It demonstrated one man participating in homosexual sex, the man that tries to punish them, and then this same man joining in the sex. All at once, and from only a few simple sketches you could hear Haring’s commentary on hypocrisy, politically and culturally punished homosexuals, and the simple un-elaborate desires of the everyday human.

His work became more visual and intricate.

One piece that caught my eye showed a monster with multiple nipples vomiting a green liquid filled with technology. Vulnerable male bodies sucked at the monster’s nipples.

The image was monstrous and affecting. It seemed to show bodies that had become mutilated, even monstrous due to their inherent neediness for love and nourishment. The vulnerable male bodies seemed to represent authority, hegemonic figures, all competing for love only to create something monstrous, even toxic. Of course, I could be completely wrong…

The other paintings spoke more for themselves. Images of planet earth balancing on blades and bleeding didn’t need much interpretation.

The event was one not to be missed.

Here is the image of the monster:

 

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molly eagles
m.eagles@uea.ac.uk
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