Keith Haring in Iowa City 1984

Keith Haring made this poster in 1984, likely using screen printing techniques, given the flat blocks of red and black. I can just imagine Haring in Iowa City, energized by the visit. He probably had a million things on his mind. See how the figure is almost overwhelmed by the TV set he’s holding? I wonder if Haring was thinking about the role of media in shaping our perceptions. The jagged lines around the figure's hands are so dynamic; they give the impression that he's both holding the TV, and trying to break free from it. Maybe Haring was using the work to ask how we can be more human in an increasingly mediated world? I love Haring’s directness. He reminds us that we are all connected in this ongoing exchange of ideas, constantly inspiring each other to see the world in new ways. It’s a reminder that art is really about connection, conversation, and keeping things open-ended.