Keith Haring was one of the most influential artists who publicly spoke about HIV infection and played a significant role in the 'ACT UP' movement. He experienced a deep sense of sadness in his mid-twenties as he witnessed the impact of the disease on his closest friends. With a better understanding that life is very fragile, Haring found a strong purpose in fighting against the disease and the discrimination it brought with it. Obsessive dedication, unwavering curiosity and exceptional artistic talent solidified his vision to bring AIDS to worldwide recognition. His philanthropic legacy continues through the Keith Haring Foundation, which was established in 1989, 1 year after his death.
Famous at 25, dead at 31; Keith Haring's short, fabulous life.
Keith Haring's Life with HIV
New York was no longer just a place of energy, diversity, and eccentric lifestyle but it was the epicentre of liberation and sexual revolution. In the 1970s and ’80s, homosexual behaviour was still illegal in most states. Normal adult relationships for gays carried the risk of arrest and prosecution as sex offenders. Gradually changing social attitudes brought more sexual opportunities to the general public. Popularity in sexual liberation was growing mainly among young individuals, LGBTQ+ community, and women. Young people were rebelling against traditional social norms, the LGBTQ+ community was advocating for the "coming out“ movement and women were gaining more control over their own bodies. Sex was no longer limited to marriage or committed relationships. In the gay scene it was typical that mans have multiple partners and protection was almost never used. Sex without obligation or a long-term relationship gained in popularity. The term "Free Sex“ become an essential part of decadent New York nightlife. This new liberal society brought a new vision of life, one where people were free to express themselves and seek to find their own identity.
Living with HIV 1987
Haring may have been young but he was fully informed about the consequences of being HIV positive. His experience with dying came before his own death. He was only 28 years old when he was diagnoses with HIV in 1987. The diagnoses motivated him to live more in the present moment, fully aware of the fact that he did not have much time left. Haring has already lost many of his friends and colleagues to AIDS/HIV by his mid-twenties, meaning he was under no illusions of what this could mean for him. Haring mentioned in his interview with David Sheff that for him „the hardest thing is just knowing that there’s so much more stuff to do. I’m a complete workaholic. I’m so scared that one day I’ll wake up and I won’t be able to do it“. In this epidemic crisis, he is a survivor rather than a victim.
Whilst Haring was focused on his work in the moment, he was more concerned on what will be left behind when he is gone. His work was a way of ensuring that his memories and experiences survived for future generations to see. Both in terms of art, but more importantly his legacy in relation to helping people and shedding light onto the HIV pandemic. Therefore, he needed to use every day in his life to create something meaningful that would endure. The days are counting down. Apart from being a renowned artist, he was also an exceptional philosopher and thinker. Living whilst you are dying requires extraordinary mental capacity. On the other hand, it can also be a positive transformative experience. “There is no love of life without despair of life,” Perhaps this can refer to a moment of despair as the potential to find the meaning of life and oneself. This predictable but certainly unwanted diagnosis gave Haring the meaning of life. Scared of dying slowly, yet happy to be alive. Traveling around the world. Finishing his unfinished projects. Creating a new pop art shop Tokyo. Traveling to Belgium then Germany back and Paris. Constantly on the road and fully determined to continue. In Haring's own words, “life is so fragile. It is a very fine line between life and death…Living in New York City and also flying on airplane so much, I am face the possibility of death every day“ Accepting the truth and being true to yourself, not hiding behind an imaginary mask, can be very relieving for a person. Therefore, There is no additional tension to hide curtain things from your family, friends and even public. Self-acceptance is to accept yourself with all positive and negative qualities. Haring was a person who did not want to hide behind shame masks. He was proud of being GAY. In 1987, successfully sent a powerful message of self-acceptance about his HIV illness “He was out and unashamed at a time when it was not easy to be out. He stuck up for injustice.“ says Gil Vazquez, executive director and president of the Keith Haring Foundation in New York City. In his emotional interview for Rolling Stones magazine says: “To me, one of the most important things is that being sick is not going to make me go back on anything in my life. I don’t regret anything I’ve ever done. “
The misconception of HIV from public perspective.
During the early stage of the HIV epidemic Haring was concerned about the public's lack of knowledge regarding HIV. A wave of illusions and untruths was circulated to a wide public audience, because of lack of information. Discrimination against homosexuals gradually increased. It was inevitable to start acting. As he mentioned in an interview with David Sheff for Rolling Stone magazine in 1989, 'AIDS has made it even harder for people to accept, because homosexuality has been made to be synonymous with death. … Now it means that you’re a potential harborer of death. That’s why it is so important for people to know what AIDS is and what it isn’t.' (Haring, Interview with David Sheff, Rolling Stone, 1989).“ The epidemic was initially stigmatised and associated with the "gay community," which led to a lot of prejudice and fear. The only way how to fight against is using a medium which wide audience would understand. Haring communicated through paintings, which could be considered a universally understandable language, transcending age, race, and gender.
Political Messages in Haring's Art
„Behind every work of art lies an uncommitted crime“ says the German philosopher Theodor Adorno, suggesting that art can become a powerful tool with which we can challenges the status quo in our society. In the1970s and 1980, artists have used their work to express their views on violence, injustice and inequality. They became a key role in social and political movements world. Protest art showed us that have potential to reach a wider selection of society, not limited by age, gender or nationality. There is no better example, of how activist art become a key strategy in the global health movement to help with various issues that needed to be addressed in regards to the AIDS problem ( ie lower prices for HIV drugs, increased funding etc `) The early HIV movement was characterised by some successful campaigning and advocacy which helped to change public opinion. This increased awareness led to sweeping political changes that resulted in greater rights for HIV positive individuals, and the establishment of numerous institutions to aid such individuals. Four years after the first cases of AIDS are announced in Los Angeles, Ronald Reagan first time mentioned the word HIV in a press conference in 1985. At that time, the AIDS epidemic was already a well-known public health crisis in the USA. During this period artists such as Keith Haring, David Kirby, David Wojnarowicz, Larry Kramer addressed their unique approaches toward activism. The successes of the HIV campaign were largely supported by the arts. For example, The Red Ribbon is one of the most recognised symbols of the decade for supporting people with HIV/AIDS. The Red Ribbon was created in New York in 1991 by artists from the Visual AIDS Artists Caucus. The Red Ribbon quickly became a symbol for solidarity, support and hope for the AIDS crisis. Red ribbons, intentionally not trademarked to allow widespread use, and quickly became a popular and politically approved fashion attitude of many famous personalities and an ornament of cultural ceremonies. The Red Ribbon made appearances on various prominent platforms, including the Oscars ceremony, the White House lawn, and public figures. All we can hope is that one day it won't be needed at all.
Ignorance = Death
Creating art should be intuitive, temporary and insignificant in a broad seance for response to capture significant moments. It might be a bold and provocative statement, but individuals who live in the present moment can spontaneously capture the situation by responding thoughtfully to their surroundings. The art can be tool where artist responding instead of contriving. Responding on important situation at the capture time by imagination and intuition. Haring believe that living in the present moment is beneficial for his artistic representation. The year 1989 Haring designed Ignorance = Death one of the most well know art piece from his collection. The painting captured tree dancing figurates represent: do not see, do not hear, do not speak with a pink “X” across their chest, symbolising AIDS patients. All three gestures symbolise an individual who is ignorant of societal norms or others.
Secondly, the words displayed in his image, “IGNORANCE = FEAR” and “SILENCE = DEATH,” hold profound significance for the work. Ignorant individuals often shy away from speaking up; instead of acknowledging and addressing the issue, they prefer to pretend that nothing is happening. If people do not stand up against the epidemic, more lives will be lost. In this particular image, Haring challenges society to confront the issues by joining the fight against AIDS and minimising the stigma.
Another powerful symbol for the epidemic came in November 1990. A single photograph of David Kirby helped change the public thinking from one of stigma to compassion towards HIV positive individuals. Therese Frare, a young journalism student, not only captured activist David Kirby on his deathbed, surrounded by his family, but also the moment in which loved ones can forgive each other and reach a mutual understanding in the face of death. This photograph was later published in Life Magazine under the name „The Face of AIDS“. The photograph became iconic and hugely controversial. According to Life, it "became the one photograph most identified with the HIV/AIDS epidemic that, by then, had seen as many as 12 million people infected.“ By some estimates the photo „The Face of AIDS“ has been seen by more than one billion people around the world over the past 30 years.
How his perception on life change
How many people contemplate their own mortality? How many live their lives with an awareness of being mortal? When individuals come to the realisation that they are mortal beings and that death is an inevitable part of existence, their values experience a transformative change. The process of realisation of mortal usually come by age or incurable disease. At the age of 29, Haring knew that he had only a few years left. In his journals, he reflected, “I accept my fate, I accept my life. I accept my shortcomings, I accept the struggle. I accept my inability to understand. I accept what I will never become and what I will never have. I accept death and I accept life.“
Misconception of Haring legacy in mass production
Collaborating with different brands is a good way to expand your reach, find new audience, mutual increased visibility, and increase your business growth. According insider intelligence: “Nearly 70% of US influencers said brand collaborations are their No. 1 revenue stream. “ Beyond all positive statistic and people experience with collaborating there are examples when collaboration was misleading and did not spread positive message or the message was hidden from brand to prevent from controversy.
According Keith Haring Foundation “In accordance with Haring’s wishes, the Foundation concentrates its giving in two areas: the support of organizations which enrich the lives of underprivileged children and the support of organizations which engage in education, prevention, and care with respect to AIDS and HIV infection.“ Aligned with Keith Haring's philanthropic vision, it is essential to bear in mind his wishes and philosophy. Thought my research I found many collaboration with Haring Art which mislead or skip his philanthropic vision. Even though, the brands such as: UNICLO, Pandora, and Tommy Hilfiger used Haring's iconic art to enhance their products and, consequently and boost their revenue, but those collaboration did not support Haring's goals. The collaborations might unintentionally shift focus away from helping underprivileged children and preventing AIDS/HIV.
To truly honour Haring's legacy, brands should not just use his art but also actively give back to the causes he cared about. I advise, that new collaboration with Haring's art should not be only alight with Haring wishes but try to help underprivileged children or work on AIDS/HIV initiatives. I found two great examples where a brand used Keith Haring's art in line with his legacy. One of these examples is the brand called Tenga, which incorporates Keith Haring's art on their sex toys. Last but not least, the brand Etta Loves produces accessories for kids and they created special Keith Haring collection.