Meet Keith Haring at Meet You Museum
Keith Haring (United States, 1958-1990) is known to all as a true representative of pop art, straight from the New York City graffiti and street subculture of the 1980s. Haring’s animated imagery is unmistakable; his creative universe exudes energy and cheerful vibes. His artistic spontaneity went hand in hand with his social activism.
As his unique iconography unfolded, so did his themes of choice: safe sex, AIDS awareness, a stance against apartheid, LGBT issues, war, environmental degradation and more.
A selection of Keith Haring's works is now on display at this centric museum
Though Haring himself was gone too soon indeed, his art has outlived him and remains as relevant and appealing as ever. Countless exhibitions and collections keep presenting his legacy to the audience — and now's your chance to peek at his works in downtown Beijing, at none other than the Metropolitan Home: Show House 2 exhibition at the . Be sure to wear your most hipster outfit, dear reader; you've got a date with me at the art gallery.
A worldly genius in the best sense of the word
I bought my ticket for the exhibition in advance on Dianping after typing in the museum's Chinese name. Tickets are issued without a specific date. However, you do need to make a reservation beforehand. If you simply show up at the venue, chances are you'll be asked to wait for the next time slot available on that day.
Type 遇见展览预约 yùjiàn zhǎnlǎn yùyuē on WeChat to access a mini-program, select the first option and click again to finally access the reservation window. There are no toilets inside, so empty your bladder at the nearby shopping mall.
Plenty of fascinating works to catch your attention
Alright, now we're in! Get a small themed gift from the stall at the entrance and dive into the actual art. Show House 2 is structured in six spaces — New York is My Canvas, All of Them Are My Friends, Symbols Are My Language, Behind the Boom in Art, In the Name of Art and To Everyone, for Everyone.
The sizeable selection of works is arranged fairly well and will allow you to get up close and personal with the man who was set to become one of the most influential and significant artists of the 20th century. Haring never believed his work to be propaganda, despite its deep connection to social issues and vulnerable collectives.
The deep social roots of an artistic trailblazer
A prolific and outspoken artist, Haring broke the barriers between art and commerce and eventually gained wider recognition in the 1980s. As the underground artist community flourished, so did his career. The exhibition at Meet You Museum will guide you through his connections to other relevant artists such as Andy Warhol, his conquest of art galleries and the consolidation of his creative language.
Expect clear lines, pops of vivid color, simplified human figures and geometric shapes
Something that I really enjoyed about Show House 2 was the opportunities for learning that the exhibition provided for adults and children alike. Haring's style is sure to connect with the littlest visitors in the house, who get to doodle and display their own creations in a corner of the museum.
In fact, you'll get to see several instances of his collaborations with kids on display, as well as a short documentary. Adults will find their need for social media fodder plenty sated, but it'd be sad if all you get from Show House 2 was artful pics. Above all, Haring wished to reach wide audiences.
At the Meet You Museum, works borrowed from sources such as the Keith Haring Foundation and the Tony Shafrazi Gallery highlight the contribution of the artist to social awareness in the post-pop art era. What's more, in 1986, Haring opened his own art store, Pop Shop, to sell his art at an affordable price to the public.
Art for the masses
Art is indeed not out of reach for us commoners with this exhibition. Make some room for Haring in your cultural agenda, Beijing. It's well worth your time and money.
Metropolitan Home: Show House 2 will be on display at Meet You Art Museum until Jun 13. Regular tickets are sold at RMB 168, while discount tickets for students, the military and disabled folks are priced at RMB 118.
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Images: Ana Padilla Fornieles, Dianping
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