Keith Haring - Message to the Public, 1982, Times Square
Organised by the Public Art Fund, Messages to the Public was an important initiative that showcased the Public Art Fund’s long-term commitment to media-based artwork that could be experienced by the masses. At the time, media based artwork was growing in popularity thanks to the easier access to technologies. Haring was one the first of a multitude of exciting artists who were approached by the foundation to create 30 second animations that would repeat every twenty minutes beaming their works from one of the iconic screens in Times Square.Running from 1982 to 1990, works were specifically created for the new Spectacolor board at Times Square
Illuminated on a 800-square-foot board the array of 8,000 red, white, blue, and green 60-watt bulbs would come together to produce the animations in a blaze of light. Project director of the Public Art Fund Jessica Cusick explained at the time, “We’re trying to do art that’s timely, has a message, is visually potent and is trying to deal with the fine line dividing fine art and commercial art.”
Indeed, it was Jane Dickson, a painter, was working for Spectacolor, Inc. as an ad designer and computer programmer who first thought to use the light board to display noncommercial art.
“‘I picked that title,’ she said of 'Messages to the Public, ‘because I thought the propaganda potential from this project was terrific.’ The board, she noted, was regularly used for ‘commercial propaganda.’
Dickson sought help from the Public Art Fund, an organisation based here and dedicated to taking art out of the galleries and placing it in the city’s streets and parks.
Haring, who had previously lived in the area with fellow artist Kenny Scharf, was no stranger to the use of film and technology in his works. Indeed, whilst a student at the School of Visual Arts in New York, Haring would regularly film himself creating his works in a performative gesture.
Haring’s choice of animations featured motifs that have gone on to become some of the most recognisable images in the canon of 20th century art included Radiant Baby, Barking Dog and his universal, faceless figures.
From this year, Haring would explode onto the world stage challenging both traditional concepts of art and how to interact and reach his audience. Still pertinent to this day, Haring touched on themes through his semiotic approach to channelling emotion and meaning through his vibrant figures.
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