May 04, 2008 — December 31, 2008
Houston Street and Bowery
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.
Houston Street and Bowery
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.
ARTmostfierce thinks ...very touching about the birthday and recognition aspect but...see below!
The Mural titled Crack is Whack over 135 th Street in (Harlem)Upper Manhattan was just recently restored without any fanfare. No gallery or organization was ever involved.This once again proves that most NY institutions, organizations and the art establishments ignores anything happening above 96st. including out current Mayor. Can we say Congestion Pricing above 96st?
Hell, No!
Let me hear your thoughts about it!
What do you think?
Time to rant?
Hell, No!
Let me hear your thoughts about it!
What do you think?
Time to rant?
Go 4 it
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2 comments:
Personally, I think that this "re-creation" of Keith's work only cheapens what he did. There is certainly a “planned obsolescence” factor that I’m sure Keith Haring knew about all too well and appreciated – especially when you’re doing graffiti art! That’s part of the charm!
Deitch is trying to create something from what "was" and "what will never be” in this city"- as NYC is now just a city for the rich and downtown is no longer "downtown". This city has changed and so has the time. The first death knell to NY’s hot bed of creativity was the Aids epidemic. Then it was Guiliani’s “disneyfication”, dose of “antiseptic” and his strong relationship with the landlords/developers. Now with Bloomberg and his cronies – it’s the Wall Street big shots, the big time billionaire developers and landlords! The creativity is starting to re-surface, but it's not really in Manhattan -- it's happening in Brooklyn where most of the artists live now as it’s one of the few affordable places left! NYC needs to get the buzz back. We as a city are living on the laurels of our storied 70's and 80's past and frankly, it's getting kind of old to me being the jaded New York native that I am.
Yes, it's a nice gesture by Deitch, but wouldn't it be much cooler to organize a "faux renegade" graffiti artist fair (with City/MTA Authority permission). Here’s the idea: Let the “faux renegade” grafitti artists take on the NYC Subway system and do subway wraps of graffiti style Mona Lisas, Warhols, Harings, Jeff Koons, Murikami and Mondrian style stuff? Now that would be totally fresh and OUT THERE!!!
Deitch isn't being all that creative and they aren't pushing the envelope enough to get people totally excited! It would be temporary and would bring tons of tourists to the city. Think of the world wide press we would get in a failing economy and a very precarious art market - given the economic climate we're in.
Perhaps we should all write to the MTA and Mr. Bloomberg to try to pull this one off! Why give Deitch any credit or press??? Hell, I could use some!
tashakitty aka Janet Finkel, V2K Decor
Totally agree with you Tashakitty. This city needs to push the envelope!
The subway graffitti idea would be awesome but I know the "authorities" wil not go along for fear of re-starting the graffitti "vandalism".
the disneyfication of NYC is here to stay folks....Best be packing your bags and head to Europe for that good old "edge" feeling that inspired so much genious art.
I am sure we NYers will come up with something new and edgy..its just a matter of time....maybe...
Regarding the re-creation of Keith Haring's mural...I have mixed feelings..I LOVE his genious work, but this project will be a COPY of what WAS!
Maybe some things are meant to be left as good memories....
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