"Keith was a product of the whole street vibe. Paradise Garage was four walls to put the street in. He was what the street was. What percolated on the street was what Keith was about." - Junior Vasquez. Wherever Keith Haring was working, either on the street or in his studio, music was always playing. Haring's work embodies the sounds of the New York streets and of streetwise clubs like Paradise Garage. You can almost hear the music that infuses the visual rhythm of his work. Haring was one of the rare artists who was able to visualize sound.
Paradise Garage
"Keith was a product of the whole street vibe. Paradise Garage was
four walls to put the street in. He was what the street was. What
percolated on the street was what Keith was about." - Junior Vasquez.
Wherever Keith Haring was working, either on the street or in his
studio, music was always playing. Haring's work embodies the sounds
of the New York streets and of streetwise clubs like Paradise Garage.
You can almost hear the music that infuses the visual rhythm of his
work. Haring was one of the rare artists who was able to visualize
sound.
Reminiscing about Keith Haring and the Paradise Garage, Ann
Magnusen wrote that "dancing was our pagan rite and the Paradise
Garage, the first multi-cultural gay dance club, became Keith's
Pantheon." In his journals Haring wrote, "I don't know if you know how
important the Paradise Garage is, at least for me and the tribe of
people who have shared many a collective spiritual experience there.
The Garage also changed or affected my life incredibly through various
're-imprinting' experiences and transformations." Haring would even
schedule his trips around the Garage, "leaving on Sundays and
returning before or on Saturdays."
The Paradise Garage was a club on the border of SoHo that was
central to Keith Haring's world from the early 1980s until it closed in
1987. Haring was the key figure behind the exuberant convergence of
art, music and performance that developed there. This exhibition
celebrates the creative fusion inspired by Haring and his Paradise
Garage circle. The show includes both work that reflects the spirit of
the Paradise Garage and work that was made for events and
performances at the club. Larger paintings and objects are displayed in
the main gallery space with a special day-glo room installed
downstairs. Series of drawings of a transformed Brooke Shields and
the Paradise Garage clientele are installed on the mezzanine.
Music by Junior Vasquez.
The Estate of Keith Haring is represented by Deitch Projects.
Gallery hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 12 Â 6 PM.
For additional information please contact Suzanne Geiss at 343-7300.
Deitch Projects - 76 Grand Street, 18 Wooster Street, New York, 10013 - tel: 212.343.7300 fax: 212.343.2954