Music and dance had always been Keith Haring's creative inspiration. From making record sleeves for his musician friends to an impromptu collaboration with a b-boy crew during a trip to Tokyo, he never stopped drawing on the beat even after his international stardom.
Larry Levan Recorded Live at the Paradise Garage: Sept. 25・28, 1987 The Final Nights of Paradise / Disk 2 of 5 by Larry LevanOriginal Source: Nakamura Keith Haring Collection
Commitment to Club Culture
Haring moved to New York in 1978. He immersed himself in the New York club culture while tirelessly working to create art. He began visiting Paradise Garage*, a nightclub that offered wild excitement to many queer individuals at the time. The majority of the clubgoers were Black and Brown men, and it was there that Larry Levan, the God of DJ, worked as the resident DJ. Haring frequented this club every Saturday for five years as if possessed by the rhythm of the beat.
*Previously a parking garage, this legendary discotheque operated from 1977 to 1987
David Bowie
David Bowie’s “Without You”, released as a single in 1983. This is a photo of the edition that was released in Japan.
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Larry Levan
A set of five records recording Larry Levan’s sets from the final party at Paradise Garage on September 25, 1987.
Painting Movements
Haring collaborated with dancers and performers. He depicted their dances (and body movements) as he felt them, creating art with movement that was also inspired by music and rhythm.
Keith Haring in Tokyo Harajuku (1988.1.24) by CHINOOriginal Source: Nakamura Keith Haring Collection
Upon visiting Japan in January of 1988, Keith Haring encounters CHINO and his crew dancing in a pedestrian zone of Yoyogi Park. Compelled by their breakdancing and energetic spirit, Haring draws inspiration and vision, creating works in his signature style with chalk upon the pavement of the sidewalk. Keith Haring also drew on jackets and T-shirts of many dancers who were there.
CHINO
Since his early beginnings as a dancer in 1984, award-winning Japanese hip hop pioneer CHINO continues to lead and dominate the scene in Japan today. CHINO is a member of the world’s largest b-boying and hip hop group, Rock
Steady Crew, and presently works as both choreographer and producer to many notable and successful artists.
Club DV8 Unveils the Keith Haring Room San Francisco,5.6.1986 by Keith HaringOriginal Source: Nakamura Keith Haring Collection
A poster created for an event held at Club DV8 in San Francisco in 1986. Haring also created a wall mural for Club DV8.
Montreux 1983 17ème Festival de Jazz - Juillet 8-24 (1983) by Keith HaringOriginal Source: Nakamura Keith Haring Collection
A poster created for a jazz festival that has been held annually since 1967 in Montreux, Switzerland.
Sweet Saturday Night (1985) by Keith HaringOriginal Source: Nakamura Keith Haring Collection
This work was created as both set design and backdrop for Sweet Saturday Night—dance performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music during Black History Month, which celebrated 300 years of black street and social dance.
All Keith Haring Artwork ©The Keith Haring Foundation
Special Thanks to
Mr. CHINO
