ASD Labs - 212.866.4402

Last week would have been Keith Haring’s 50th birthday and we had earlier posted images of the mural wall that was recreated in his honor, on the corner of Bowery and Houston Street. Now Eric Haze, graffiti originator turned graphic designer and artist has posted a great blog entry in homage to his fallen friend. Rest in peace Keith Haring.

To commemorate what would have been the 50th birthday of legendary artist Keith Haring, The Keith Haring Foundation, Deitch Projects and Goldman Properties recreated one of Keith’s most celebrated pieces (I liked the “Crack is Wack” piece better). The reproduction will be repainted by Gotham Scenic, on the corner of Houston and Bowery, on the exact wall where the original once graced NYC. While the original only lasted a few months before Keith himself came back to paint it out, due to the neon colors fading in the hot city sun over the summer of 1982, the replica is scheduled to remain on display through December 31st.

Omni mural that was on the wall prior to the Haring reproduction being painted.

Keith Haring’s original painting from back in 1982.

“Crack is Wack” mural from 1986.

Following the below post on 11 Spring Street, I felt it was necessary to put up this photograph of the building located just down the street. Right on the corner of Spring and Bowery sits another canvas of street artist and graffiti writers. While this building never reached the notoriety of 11 Spring Street, it’s walls have still been graced with the works of REVS, Judith Supine, WK, Shepard Fairey, the IRAK crew and many, many more. Now the majority of the building is covered in memorial graffiti for Joey Semz. Props.

It has been over a year now since NYC, nay the World lost one of the most valuable street art canvases ever to exist. For years 11 Spring Street was the equivalent of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel with the works of modern day Michaelangelo’s gracing every inch of it. 11 Spring Street amplified the difference between graffiti and street art (because yes, there is a HUGE difference) and the battle and embracing between these two cultures. The walls were constantly changing and telling the stories of those putting their mark on them and tales of the city. The reason I am writing about 11 Spring so long after it has been covered in construction tarps and scaffolding, in the interim of being whitewashed and becoming multi-million dollar condo’s, is simple, I walked passed the decomposed shell of a building that was once a gorgeous piece of art, life and NYC and just missed it. This is yet another example of old and true NYC being phased out into anywhere U.S.A.

R.I.P. 11 Spring.

For more information and images check out these links:
Wooster Collective, Wooster On Spring, NY Times, Streetsy