FIPS Visits Keith Haring at the Brooklyn Museum

When our Managing Editor Kerri asked me to check out the Keith Haring exhibit at the BK museum last week, my first thought was "I have no idea how to write about visual art." I mean, I like museums and I like art -- I just don't know how to actually convey the experience of art in writing. Basically, I'm pretty sure that any review I wrote of the exhibit would be the art world equivalent of the much-blogged-about Olive Garden review by that old lady in North Dakota. Luckily for me though, the exhibit turned out to be awesome and offers sufficient context, analysis and criticism that even someone as retartded (ha!) as me will still have something to say.

According to the Brooklyn museum, this is the first large scale exhibition of Haring's work from the early part of his career. It is huge, in fact -- which is pretty impressive given it only covers his work from 1978-1982. So if you're thinking "how many outlines of little guys smushed together can there be?" think again. The breadth of the work goes way beyond that iconic Haring figure. There are multi-panel illustrated stories, collages that reminded me of the ones I saw at the Dada exhibit a few years back and experimental video projects. There is also an awesome slide show of Haring's subway graffiti accompanied by a kick-ass post-punk soundtrack. So if you like some Talking Heads or Buzzcocks with your art, get thee to the Brooklyn Museum.

Also, added bonus -- after you're through with the exhibit, you can check out the large scale installation by BedStuy-based artist Heather Hart right next door. It's on the roof of a house and you can climb it if you sign a waiver first (seriously). I believe there is something arty to say about that piece as well, but I was just kind of excited to sit on top of the roof.

Lastly, don't forget to use our FiPS deal when you hit up the museum to check out the exhibit! You can get 2 for 1 admission on Thursday evenings after 6PM throughout April and May.