Unearthed Digital Treasures Keith Haring’s Hidden Computer Drawings from the 1980s

In the year 1987, the renowned American artist Keith Haring, celebrated for his vibrant and whimsical artistic style, embarked on a creative journey that remained shrouded in obscurity for decades. He harnessed the nascent potential of personal computing to craft five digital artworks. These electronic creations lay dormant, stored on antiquated floppy disks, concealed from the public eye. However, a groundbreaking development is afoot.

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NFTs at Auction A Digital Art Revolution

In a landmark move, these long-hidden digital gems are set to make their debut at an upcoming auction hosted by Christie’s. These artworks, transformed into Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), mark a pioneering intersection of traditional art and cutting-edge technology.

The Artistic Odyssey of Keith Haring

Born in 1958 in the heart of Pennsylvania, Keith Haring’s artistic journey began as a child, eventually leading him to the hallowed halls of New York City’s School of Visual Arts in 1978. His creative prowess burgeoned during the 1980s, earning him widespread acclaim. Haring’s distinctive style found expression through bold, rhythmic lines that graced the streets and subway system of New York—a self-proclaimed “laboratory” for his prolific artistry.

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Embracing the Digital Frontier

As the 1980s unfolded, new horizons beckoned, fueled by emerging technologies. Haring, ever the trailblazer, recognized the potential of computers as a medium for his artistic expression. In his own words from his 1986 journal entry, “My drawings were perfect for translation into computers because the drawing line was already very close to the idea of ‘pixels.’” He saw boundless opportunities within this realm, citing his ability to employ computers with exceptional proficiency.

Amiga The Canvas of Choice

Keith Haring’s foray into digital art manifested through an Amiga computer—an endeavor undertaken during the burgeoning era of consumer computing. Gil Vazquez, President of the Keith Haring Foundation, elucidates Haring’s visionary stance on technology, emphasizing the artist’s prescient understanding of the increasing significance of computers in people’s lives.

A Nexus of Art and Technology The Amiga Connection

This pioneering endeavor resonates with a parallel narrative in the art world, where the acclaimed artist Andy Warhol also explored the creative potentials of the Amiga computer during the 1980s. Timothy Leary, the renowned American psychologist and advocate of psychedelic substances, facilitated this convergence of art and technology by gifting Amiga computers to several artists, including both Warhol and Haring. However, it was Keith Haring who cultivated the deepest affinity for this new medium, as affirmed by Christie’s.

A Digital Art Auction A Testament to Keith Haring’s Legacy

In the upcoming Christie’s auction, each of these digital images, meticulously minted as NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain, is poised to command prices ranging from $200,000 to $500,000. The proceeds from this landmark sale will be channeled towards the Keith Haring Foundation—a charitable institution established by the artist shortly before his passing in 1990. This foundation tirelessly champions causes benefiting children and offers support to groups engaged in AIDS-related initiatives, all while safeguarding the artistic legacy of Keith Haring.

Art for All Haring’s Vision Lives On

Keith Haring, a fervent believer that “art is for everybody,” continues to inspire with his enduring legacy. As Gil Vazquez aptly underscores, Haring’s commitment to accessibility led him to transcend traditional artistic boundaries. His canvas encompassed subway chalk drawings, murals, found objects, industrial tarps, and digital art—each a testament to his unwavering mission of making art an inclusive, accessible, and transformative force for all.