The Universe of Keith Haring (2008) is a documentary film by Christina Clausen, about the artist, illustrator and philanthropist, Keith Haring.
Born in 1963 in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, it didn't take long for young Haring to figure out that he belonged in a larger city. Haring was primarily schooled in the art of drawing by his very creative father, Allen Haring, who encouraged Keith to create unique animals. Haring also studied art at the Ivy School of Professional Art and the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
Haring in NY
Keith Haring moved to New York in the late '70s where he began his artistic career as a graffiti artist of sorts, by drawing in the subways and clubs. Haring met and became friends with artists Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kenny Scharf and Andy Warhol and within four years of arriving in New York City Haring had his first major art exhibition. Keith Haring was also a club kid of sorts, hanging out and working in the New York dance and party clubs.
Art of Keith Haring
The art of Keith Haring might be described as graphic lines and simplified, cartoon images that dance and undulate to their own rhythm and music. The art of Keith Haring has been used for CD and album covers, clothing, wrapping paper, note cards and magnets. The use of Haring's art for common household goods may be regarded by some art critics as commercialism but it is really the wide appeal of Haring's artwork that makes it so desirable. Other critics may say that Haring's artwork is too cartoon-y and simple to be categorized as great artwork.
No Sketches Necessary for Haring
What makes Keith Haring's artwork great is his exuberant line, his accessibility and the sense of fun that pervades his drawings and murals. One of the best parts of The Universe of Keith Haring is being able to watch the artist at work. Haring is beautiful and fluid to watch as he moves quickly and decisively, creating drawings or large murals without the aid of sketches. For an artist to work without a plan is unusual further revealing the skill of Haring's draftsmanship.
This documentary film reveals how well-loved Haring continues to be. Even though Haring's family was unschooled as to the inner workings and players of the New York City art world, they accepted, supported and loved their son for who he was. Haring's family accepted the presence of his male "bodyguards" all the while knowing their son was a homosexual. The childhood friends of Keith Haring also add to the love fest and help to tell the story of who Keith Haring was, as an artist and as a human being.
Artist and Philanthropist
Haring was a caring and philanthropic artist who loved kids and loved giving back. When Haring would have an art exhibition in London or Paris or Sao Paolo, he would insist on creating a large mural in a public setting for free. Haring's idea was to give back to these worldwide communities by leaving a part of himself in the form of a permanent work of art. Before Haring died in 1990 of AIDS, he established a foundation to benefit AIDS-related and children's charities that continues today as The Keith Haring Foundation.
Today the artwork of Keith Haring is in the best museums worldwide including: The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Carnegie Museum of Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney Museum of American Art and the Smithsonian Institution.
The Universe of Keith Haring is a wonderful documentary that also features Fab 5 Freddy, Julia Gruen, Kim Hastreiter, David LaChapelle, Yoko Ono, Kenny Scharf, Bruno Schmidt, Tony Shafrazi and Drew Straub.
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