The Musee D'Art Moderne De La Ville De Paris is hosting an exhibit of the work of KEITH HARING, called THE POLITICAL LINE.
I had never been to THAT modern art museum but had visited Pompidou Center, which is also a museum of Modern Art. It has one of the best collections of 20th century art and I have toured it several times. In fact Pompidou is walking distance from my flat in the Marais.
BUT, I had NOT visited the museum located on the banks of the Seine River on ave. du President Wilson in the 6th arr. It is between the Champs-Elysees and the Eiffel Tower and was designed as part of the 1937 world fair on art and technology. The museum is located in the east wing of the Palais de Tokyo.
I had read about Keith Haring's exhibit and wanted to see it, so I told a friend I wanted to go.
So, Al Stewart and I headed out last Friday afternoon.
The front of Musee d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
There were 250 pictures on display, some done on canvas, walls and other material. I had not heard of Keith Haring although after seeing some of his work, I recalled them on T-shirts, etc. Anyway, after studying a little, I learned Keith was born in 1958 in Reading, PA. He had 3 younger sisters and was raised in a Christian home. His father was a cartoonist and Keith was influenced by Walt Disney, Schultz and later Andy Warhol. Keith studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York. He began painting on walls in the subway in NY and yes was arrested for Graffiti 2-3 times. But, his work was of a political and social nature and so he kept looking for avenues to express his views and influence society for what he saw as social justice, individual freedom and change. He was especially disturbed by racism, violence, capitalism, apartheid and homophobia.
Keith got a huge breakthrough in his art and recognition in 1984 when in Australia, especially in Melbourne and Sydney where he displayed his paintings. There he was commissioned to do wall murals for the National Gallery of Australia. He also worked in Rio and Paris. He became better known when he designed the jacket for Madonna when she did her MTV of "Like a Virgin". He and Madonna were acquaintances from that time on. Keith was diagnosed HIV+ in 1988 and died of AIDS in 1990 at age 31. Madonna gave concerts to raise funds for research and treatment of AIDS.
The layout of the exhibition provided a narrative of Haring's social and political obsession. It was for me a very emotional experience and a view into the life of someone so passionate. Some of the art could be termed "radical", other of it moving and certainly confronting in many ways.
He did take on the church. Although he was raised in a traditional Christian setting, he brought a critical and sometimes objective eye to history and the part of religion in that development. In his view, "a lot of the evil in the world is done in the name of good ". Even as he battles against all "control religions", he respected individual beliefs.
Moses and the Burning Bush
Most of Keith Haring's work is untitled. This one was done in 1984 and from what can be determined, it is his way to expressing his disgust at all forms of discrimination in a world that he sees fill through with the racism and oppression typified by colonization and the Vietnam War.
The "wicked" white man stands for plunder, despotism, slavery and the creation of poverty.
From the brochure, it reads, " As soon as Keith arrives in New York he is fascinated by its diversity; he meets and hangs out with the minority groups he is so strongly drawn to. Throughout his career he addresses sociopolitical issues and his art emerges as committed."
This art he used in many different settings in cities, railways to state his opposition to Crack.
This piece was done the day after John Lennon was killed. Keith saw this in a dream and rose to paint it. I don't know what it means and there was no interpretation as to its meaning. Again it was "Untitled" but only had that it was done after Lennon's death. I have seen this on T-shirts.
A Self Portrait
This is also a self portrait. This one with the red dots if after Keith is diagnoses HIV+. His fight against AIDS becomes his most personal battle. Again, from the brochure: " He gets involved by producing posters urging safe sex, some of which, such as 'Silence=Death' are purely militant in tone. In a series of drawings and paintings he portrays the virus as a giant horned spermatozoon. Now a recognized public figure, he helps to make public what no one was saying about AIDS in the 1980's, knowing since 1988 that he himself is infected. He dies in New York on 16 February 1990. "
People often ask me "Why Paris?...why do you keep wanting to go back to Paris?" To experience exhibits like this is one reason. While I could spend a life time unaware of this kind of art and some might prefer to do so, I do not. My entire being is affected when I see, hear and listen to the stories of modern artists, along with the traditional and acclaimed artist that appear in the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay.
There really is not enough time to tell all the stories and record all the experiences this trip to Paris has meant to me. But, I will tell you it has a profound affect on my life and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to come here and participate in this new adventure.
AGAIN, I SAY "WHAT A BLESSING"
