'THE POLITICAL LINE' KEITH HARING AT MUSÉE D'ART MODERNE & 104

It might be easy to pinpoint a bright, bold Keith Haring dancing figure. But ‘The Political Line’ opening today at the Musée d’Art Moderne shows just how nuanced and prolific the graffiti artist was in his short life. The retrospective features nearly 250 works on canvas, tarpaulins, statues and subway walls – amalgams of his upbeat, famous outlines with potent statements against racism, capitalism, violence and injustice. Likewise, the exhibition traces his socio-political concerns from apartheid in South Africa, nuclear war threats, environmental destruction, homophobia, and lastly the AIDS epidemic which took his life in 1990. The show might be a throwback to the 80s – with its emblematic fluorescent colors, bold shapes and patterns – but Haring’s call-to-action still stands today. As you leave, check out the 1984 video of Haring painting a giant canvas exclusively for the Musée d’Art Moderne. Also make sure to head to Le 104 ( 5 rue Curial, 19th) where Haring’s large-format works, including the powerful series ‘The Ten Commandments’ (1985), are on display.
Until 18 Aug. Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm (10pm Thu).
11 avenue du Président Wilson, 16th. M° Alma-Marceau or Iéna. www.mam.paris.fr

The Tree of Monkeys, 1984, Courtesy Fondazione Orsi, © Keith Haring Foundation

Keith Haring, the political line par paris_musees