Keith Haring

1. Keith Haring is one of the most influential street artists and social activists of the 80's. Haring captured New York City street culture of the 1980's by painting subject matter of birth, death and war. In his murals he used a unique style of bold lines, vivid colours and organic shapes. His cartoon like style is now internationally recognized. Haring began drawing with chalk in New York City subways, but later moved to painting murals on the sides of buildings.

2. Keith's Haring's work is definitely unique, but it slightly resembles the work of Andy Warhol. Like Warhol, he liked to incorporate popular cultural symbols into his art. He also used the same colour palate. Both artists used extremely vibrant complimentary and contrasting colours. However the strong social messages that Banksy often incorporates in his artwork are similar to the work of Haring.

3. Haring's most successful work is his AIDS activism. Haring was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988. He later founded the Keith Haring Foundation, which provided funding and programs for AIDS. Many of his pieces promoted AIDS awareness. Haring was openly gay and promoted safe sex. He licensed many of his art to aids awareness campaigns.

4. Haring's work is extremely bold in his artistic style and in his messages. This is what makes street art the perfect medium for him. Street art is known for crossing the line and getting people's attention. By painting on the street Haring is also able to reach a large and diverse audience which would be impossible to reach if his work was solely in an art gallery.

Exit Thru the Gift Shop - Analysis

1. Banksy and Mr Brainwash are affected by their chosen medium of street art, because it represents a rebellious way of life. Both of them try to create art that breaks social norms and societal values. In other words, they like to go for the “shock factor”. Their art, especially Banksy’s, attempts to prove a point and get people’s attention (and what better way to get people’s attention than to paint all over public walls!). Banksy’s work features a lot of political satire in particular. Over the years his art became more and more though provoking. He went from creating art solely in England, to spreading all over the world. Mr Brainwash went from simply video taping street artists in action, to actually becoming a street artist. As an artist myself, I know how important the medium is. It sets the tone of the artwork immediately. I know from my own experiences in art that the medium and make or break your work.

2. In my opinion Exit thru the Gift Shop is real. I think that as street art gained more popularity, it lost a lot of its credibility. It seemed like anyone could grab a can of spray paint and call themselves a street artist, but the actual intentions behind the movement were lost. People like Banksy and Shepard Fairy had spent years trying to use street art to impact people and challenge society. I think that making this film was Banksy's way of reestablishing the true meaning behind the movement. He is an extremely deliberate person. Everything he puts out in the world has a purpose. I think the same can be said about this movie. The fact that he was willing to be on camera at all (even if his identity was hidden) convinces me that this movie was not fabricated.

Thierry vs. Banksy

Their role in the film….

Thierry: goes from documenting street artists, to attempting (key word is attempting) to be one himself by copying a lot of what he has seen other artists do.

Banksy: infamous street artist who's thought provoking stencils can be seen all over the world.

The effect of their appearance….

Thierry: makes no attempts to conceal his identity. Enjoys living his life in front a camera.

Banksy: wears dark clothes, hoods, darkens out his face, alters his voice.

The setting they allow themselves to be filmed….

Thierry: allows himself to be filmed anywhere

Banksy: only allows his back and his hands to be filmed, or a dark silhouette in an unknown location

The way they deal with publicity….

Thierry: loves all the attention he can get

Banksy: likes his work to be recognized, but keeps his personal identity hidden

When you look on their websites its easy to see that their personalities really do match the movie. Mr Brainwash has a flashy over the top website. Banksy's website on the other hand is deliberate and to the point.