Barking Dog 1990

Curator: The image that we have in front of us is called “Barking Dog,” made by Keith Haring in 1990. It’s ink on paper. My first impression is pure playful energy! It's so bold, stark colors and simple lines just bouncing off the page. Editor: Absolutely, and let’s dig deeper into this energetic image. Haring was, after all, working in a deeply fraught socio-political context, battling the AIDS crisis, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, and responding to the pervasive anxieties of the late 20th century. The barking dog can be seen as an echo of these tumultuous times, perhaps embodying both warning and a need to speak out. Curator: I get that. But to me, this dog also embodies pure joy. It's that childhood feeling of unbridled excitement. Maybe it’s naive, but looking at it makes me remember the simpler things. Do you know, Haring really thought about dogs? He was surrounded by so many. Editor: That makes sense! Dogs do invite emotional projection, right? It makes me wonder how that symbolism engages with broader understandings of social control, policing, and power structures, especially in the light of the systemic oppression experienced by marginalized groups. Curator: Oppression through...cute pets? Don’t tell my grandma. Anyway, the genius of Haring is in this open interpretation. And I think it's quite beautiful. Editor: Absolutely! I find myself moving from that stark interpretation to finding something very vulnerable here, you know? It’s a piece that encapsulates many things, even seemingly opposing forces. Curator: So maybe art isn’t about having one solid takeaway after all. Editor: Indeed! This “Barking Dog” invites us to continue wrestling with meaning, especially as its legacies continue reverberating within our present realities. What else can we do with such a strong voice, a great friend?