Keith Haring’s Multifaceted Artistic Journey: From Street Murals to Digital Art and today to Web3 and NFTs now on auction at Christie’s!
Keith Haring, the renowned Pop artist celebrated for his iconic public murals that emerged from New York’s street art scene in the 1980s, is perhaps best known for his activism and generosity. However, a lesser-known side of his creativity is now coming to light for the first time: his pioneering role in the world of digital art.
In a groundbreaking event titled “Keith Haring: Pixel Pioneer” https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/keith-haring-pixel-pioneer/lots/3479the Keith Haring Foundation auctioned off five unique digital drawings created by Haring on an Amiga computer during the mid-1980s.
Previously accessible only via floppy disk, these natively digital works of art have been immortalized on the Ethereum blockchain as NFTs (non-fungible tokens).
The online auction, which took place from September 12 to 20, with an exhibition at Christie’s New York from September 14 to 19 and a presentation in Seoul on September 7 and 8 in collaboration with NFT Now.
All 5 NFTs sold for 1,587,600 USD during the bear market!
All proceeds from this sale will support the charitable initiatives of the Keith Haring Foundation.
The Genesis of These NFTs: A 1984 Encounter
The story of these NFTs began in 1984 at the birthday party of John Lennon’s nine-year-old son, Sean. Among the illustrious guests were luminaries such as Steve Jobs, Andy Warhol, Kenny Scharf and Keith Haring himself.
During the event, Jobs presented his Macintosh computer, capturing the attention of those present with its capabilities.
Warhol, in particular, showed great interest and, after experimenting with the drawing tool, enthusiastically exclaimed to Haring: “Look! Keith! I’ve drawn a circle!”.
This moment marked the beginning of their exploration of digital art.
Shortly after the party, Timothy Leary, Haring’s close friend, psychologist and author, distributed ten Amiga computers to selected artists, including Warhol and Haring. While Warhol created several digital works on his Amiga, featuring familiar subjects like Marilyn Monroe and Campbell’s soup cans, five of his digital drawings were minted as NFTs in Christie’s “Andy Warhol: Machine Made” auction in 2021, fetching a notable result of 3.8 million dollars.
Haring’s Deep Connection with Digital Art
Unlike Warhol, who showed undeniable enthusiasm for digital art, Haring felt a profound affinity for the medium. He integrated the Amiga computer into his artistic process, resulting in the five digital images offered in this sale as NFTs.
The Amiga provided a platform for Haring to replicate his distinctive drawing style. In his journal entry dated July 8, 1986, he wrote, “My drawings were perfect for translation into computers because the drawing line was already very close to the idea of ‘pixels’ (the dots or squares that comprise a computer-generated image).” These digital images mirrored his iconic visual language, complete with masks, exuberant outlined figures, and vivid primary colors.
Haring’s spontaneous creative approach also found expression on the Amiga. According to Gil Vazquez, President of the Keith Haring Foundation, “Keith’s approach was never a plan. He usually just put brush to canvas, pen to paper, Sharpie to wall, and just went. His approach to the Amiga drawings was no different; he put his hand on the mouse and just went.”
Title: Unveiling Keith Haring’s Pioneering Digital Art: The Amiga Era
Subtitle: How Keith Haring Redefined Art Through Digital Exploration in the 1980s
Article:
Keith Haring’s Multifaceted Artistic Journey: From Street Murals to Digital Frontiers
Keith Haring, the renowned Pop artist celebrated for his iconic public murals that emerged from New York City’s street art scene in the 1980s, is perhaps better known for his activism and generosity. However, a lesser-known facet of his creativity is now coming to light for the first time: his pioneering role in the world of digital art.
In a groundbreaking event titled “Keith Haring: Pixel Pioneer,” the Keith Haring Foundation is set to auction five unique digital drawings created by Haring on an Amiga computer during the mid-1980s. Previously accessible only through floppy discs, these natively digital artworks have been immortalized on the Ethereum blockchain as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens).
The online auction, running from September 12th to 20th, includes an exhibition at Christie’s New York from September 14th to 19th and a Seoul showcase on September 7th and 8th in partnership with NFT Now. All proceeds from this sale will support the Keith Haring Foundation’s charitable endeavors.
The Genesis of These NFTs: A 1984 Encounter
The story of these NFTs begins in 1984 at the birthday party of John Lennon’s nine-year-old son, Sean. Among the notable guests were luminaries like Steve Jobs, Andy Warhol, Kenny Scharf, and Keith Haring himself. During the event, Jobs introduced his Macintosh computer, captivating the attendees with its capabilities. Warhol, in particular, took a keen interest and, after experimenting with the drawing tool, enthusiastically exclaimed to Haring, “Look! Keith! I drew a circle!” This moment marked the beginning of their exploration of digital art.
Shortly after the party, Timothy Leary, a close friend of Haring and a psychologist and author, distributed ten Amiga computers to selected artists, including Warhol and Haring. While Warhol created several digital works on his Amiga, featuring familiar subjects like Marilyn Monroe and Campbell’s soup cans, five of his digital drawings were minted as NFTs in Christie’s auction “Andy Warhol: Machine Made” in 2021, fetching a remarkable $3.8 million.
Haring’s Deep Connection with Digital Art
Unlike Warhol, who showed undeniable enthusiasm for digital art, Haring felt a profound affinity for the medium. He integrated the Amiga computer into his artistic process, resulting in the five digital images offered in this sale as NFTs.
The Amiga provided a platform for Haring to replicate his distinctive drawing style. In his journal entry dated July 8, 1986, he wrote, “My drawings were perfect for translation into computers because the drawing line was already very close to the idea of ‘pixels’ (the dots or squares that comprise a computer-generated image).” These digital images mirrored his iconic visual language, complete with masks, exuberant outlined figures, and vivid primary colors.
Haring’s spontaneous creative approach also found expression on the Amiga. According to Gil Vazquez, President of the Keith Haring Foundation, “Keith’s approach was never a plan. He usually just put brush to canvas, pen to paper, Sharpie to wall, and just went. His approach to the Amiga drawings was no different; he put his hand on the mouse and just went.”
An Artist and a Disruptor
The Amiga not only facilitated Haring’s artistic expression but also allowed him to push the boundaries of the art world establishment. Vazquez notes, “He was a disruptor who wanted to use tools that were not considered proper by the established art world,” a sentiment that extended from his street art on public walls to his embrace of the Amiga computer.
Haring’s enduring mantra, “art is for everybody,” continues to resonate. Technological innovations, particularly Web 3, have expanded the ways in which we engage with art, removing barriers to entry and enabling artists to connect directly with audiences worldwide. Web 3 technology aligns with Haring’s vision, allowing these works to be shared and enjoyed globally as intended.
These digital drawings serve as a testament to Keith Haring’s distinctive style, creative process, and unwavering dedication to art in all its forms. Despite the unconventional nature of the computer as an artistic tool during his time, Haring embraced it. Now, thanks to Web 3 technology, these works will reach a broader audience and inspire a new generation of art enthusiasts.
As Vazquez aptly puts it, “In a sense, Keith is still here, still affecting people, still inspiring people, still causing a stir.”
