Keith Haring - BE@RBRICK
Modern art fans and social historians alike know about Keith Haring’s influence in the late 20th century. Haring's bold linework and politically minded iconography make his art instantly recognizable. His famous faceless figures are on display in Medicom Toy's "BE@RBRICK Keith Haring 100% & 400%" figure set.
Keith Haring and BE@RBRICK Collaboration Background
Medicom Toy began a figure collaboration with the Keith Haring Foundation in 2017.
Collaboration Planning and Launch
Medicom's first Keith Haring BE@BRICK, simply titled "Keith Haring," was made in 2017. The figure first went on presale in August 2017 before entering regular sale in February 2018. In October of that year, Medicom Toy released their second Keith Haring figure, #2. The collaboration saw two main releases in 2019. They were a diecast rerelease of the first figure and a new design with a black and white dancing figure motif. In 2020, three more figures came out of the BE@RBRICK line, including one featuring Haring's Mickey Mouse design. In February 2021, a presale began for the eighth design in the collaboration featuring Haring's Red Heart.
BE@RBRICK Keith Haring 100% & 400%
This figure set from the BE@RBRICK line showcases Keith Haring's most distinct artistic motif: the dancing figures. The bear model itself features a stark white background to offset the figures. Each figure has a thick, crisp black outline, representing Haring's graphic skills as a graffiti artist. The figures feature a wide variety of saturated colors, such as red, green, and blue. The range of poses represents the different motifs Haring used when employing the figures in his art. While most of the figures are dancing, some possess wings, multiple limbs, and stomach holes. As a bonus, fans can see Haring's famous Barking Dog represented among the figures.
- Product Name: BE@RBRICK Keith Haring 100% & 400%
- Manufacturer: Medicom Toy
- Specifications: Set of 2 painted and articulated plastic figures
- Height (Approx.):
100%: 70mm | 2.8"
400%: 280mm | 11"
About Keith Haring
Keith Haring is a well-known American pop artist and social activist from the 1980s. Haring cited his early influences as Looney Tunes cartoons as well as neo-expressionist painters, like Jackson Pollock. After moving to New York City, Haring began experimenting with video and performance art. He started gaining attention for his graffiti art in the subway system and invented some of his career motifs, such as the Radiant Baby.
Haring completed his first outdoor mural in 1982, marking the most prolific stage of his career. Painting upwards of 40 works in a day, Haring began incorporating homosexual imagery and topics related to social activism. After contracting HIV in 1987, Haring focused more of his work on safe sex campaigns as well as AIDS awareness. Haring died in February 1990 due to AIDS-related complications.
About Haring's Dancing Figures
The use of hieroglyphic-like symbols punctuated Haring's most prominent works of art. These figures, faceless, multicolored, and genderless, represented humans with complete equality. By depicting the figures without markers of stereotypical identity, Haring highlighted the identity of the individual. These figures appeared as focused subjects in paintings like those representing social causes. Occasionally, they appeared as a pattern motif creating larger, abstract murals. The vibrant dancing both represented Haring's love of hip-hop and evoked a sense of energy, joy, and community.
Other Important Artwork by Keith Haring
Much of Keith Haring's work represents his place as a sociopolitical activist in the New York art scene.
Andy Mouse
Andy Mouse is the title of a 1986 print collaboration series between Haring and artist Andy Warhol. It resulted in four silkscreen prints depicting Warhol as the iconic children's cartoon character, Mickey Mouse. Warhol and Haring met in 1982 when Haring began hanging around Warhol's studio, the Factory. Mickey Mouse was a shared interest between Warhol and Haring and proved to be an ideal subject for their collaboration. Mickey suited Warhol's position as a contributor and critic of pop culture. Haring's graphic art style and bold use of color made the print set a standout marker of his talents.
Keith and Julia
Keith and Julia is a self-portrait of Keith Haring with his studio manager, assistant, and friend, Julia Gruen. The painting brings out the iconic elements of Haring's style. The bold, clean lines and intricate, organic shapes form approximate figures representing Haring smoking a cigarette with Gruen across from him. Haring's use of color shows in the background with a bold yellow backdrop and blobs of blue, green, and red. Considered one of his seminal works, Keith and Julia has been exhibited in the 2006 Lyon Biennial and 2007 Milan Triennial.
Crack is Wack
Crack is Wack is an East Harlem street mural by Haring completed in 1986. The mural marked Haring's sociopolitical presence as an artist in New York. First, Haring painted a version of Crack is Wack without legal permission on an abandoned handball court. He was arrested for vandalism of city property and faced fines and potential jail time. After national media rallied behind Haring, the city released Haring from jail and allowed his mural to remain. However, the mural had been vandalized to represent a pro-drug message during his time in jail. Haring repainted the mural with the same style and message with a different composition.
Related Figures
Collectibles fans and Keith Haring fans alike will appreciate the "Super Alloy BE@RBRICK Keith Haring" figure from Medicom Toy. The figure stands at 5.7" and is made of solid, diecast material, making it a standout addition to any figure collection.
Links
BE@RBRICK Keith Haring 100% & 400%
BE@RBRICK Keith Haring 1000%
Super Alloy BE@RBRICK Keith Haring
BE@RBRICK Series
Jackson Pollock - BE@RBRICK
BE@BRICK Label
Keith Haring Label