Acrobats
24 x 15 ⅝ x 15 ⅝ inchesAcrobats, 1986
24 x 15 ⅝ x 15 ⅝ inches
Edition of 10, plus 2 artist's proofs
incised with the artist's signature, dated, numbered and foundry mark 'K Haring 1986 acf’
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by the Estate of Keith Haring.
Provenance
Deitch Projects, New York
Acquired from the above, 2005
Private Collection, New York
Literature
E. Chapulie, ed., Keith Haring: l'art à la plage, Turin, 2005, page 39, another example reproduced.
London, Ben Brown Fine Arts, Keith Haring: Sculpture, Paintings and Works on Paper, 2005, pp. 17, 54, 57, another example reproduced.
Fondazione Triennale di Milano, The Keith Haring Show, 2006, no. 219, p. 366, another example reproduced.
Musée d’art contemporain de Lyon, Keith Haring, 2008, no. 200, p. 324, another example reproduced.
Exhibited
London, Ben Brown Fine Arts, Keith Haring: Sculpture, Paintings and Works on Paper, June-August, 2005, pp. 17, 54, 57, another example exhibited.
Fondazione Triennale di Milano, The Keith Haring Show, September, 2005-January, 2006, no. 219, p. 366, another example exhibited.
Musée d’art contemporain de Lyon, Keith Haring, February-June, 2008, no. 200, p. 324, another example exhibited.
Tokyo, Seiji Togo Memorial Sompo Japan Museum of Art, Global New Art, July-August 2011, another example exhibited.
Tokyo, Spiral Garden, Die Tanzende Bilder, August-September 2013, another example exhibited.
Matsumoto City Museum of Art, TAG-TEN, July-September 2014, another example exhibited.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu, A Walk Around the Contemporary Art World After Paradigm Shift, February-May 2015, another example exhibited.
Additional Photos
Alternate view
Alternate view
Alternate view
Alternate view
Keith Haring’s Acrobats (1986) is a vibrant and jubilant sculpture depicting dynamic, acrobatic figures that showcase Haring’s mastery of movement and color. Known for his belief that "the contemporary artist has a responsibility to continue celebrating humanity," Haring’s Acrobats goes beyond its physical form, symbolizing both creative brilliance and the fight against the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.
KEITH HARING SCULPTURE
“Sculpture has a kind of power that a painting doesn’t have. You can’t burn it. It would survive a nuclear blast probably...” (K. Haring, quoted in Flash Art, March 1984, p. 22)
Keith Haring’s 1986 Acrobats sculpture is not only a lively depiction of dance and acrobatic motion but also represents Haring’s deeper commitment to social issues, including the AIDS crisis, marking it as a politically charged yet visually captivating work.
Influenced by dance, which was integral to Haring’s life and work, Acrobats integrates movement through vibrant, geometrically stylized figures. The sculptures showcase Haring’s trademark fusion of art, social commentary, and public engagement. At a time when the artist's works were often political, these figures express themes of vitality, defiance, and human strength.
Incorporating Matisse's fluidity and Minimalist sharpness, the two enamel-coated aluminum figures, blue and orange, are interlocked in a delicate balancing act, symbolizing equilibrium and dynamic energy.
designed by Georgis & Mirgorodsky
The sculpture offers a playful yet profound commentary on humanity, empathy, and perseverance, transcending traditional sculpture by engaging with vibrant pop aesthetics and social consciousness.
With its enduring power, Acrobats embodies Haring's hope that art will outlive its creator, acting as a vehicle for cultural expression, community engagement, and the celebration of life in the face of adversity.
As Haring said, “Art should be something that liberates the soul, provokes the imagination, and encourages people to go further” (Keith Haring, New York, 2008, p. 19).
#KeithHaring interlocking Acrobats #sculpture sells for $308,864USD @phillipsauction December 4, 2024. https://t.co/MPouJCjmIL pic.twitter.com/zCFHIki8kq
— Joseph K. Levene Fine Art, Ltd. (@JKLFA) December 10, 2024