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Berlin
1986

Keith Haring's mural on the Berlin Wall, painted in 1986, stands as one of his most impactful and politically charged works. This mural, which spanned approximately 300 meters, was created at the invitation of the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and depicted linked human figures in the colors of the German flag: black, red, and yellow. The interlinking figures symbolized unity and solidarity, reflecting Haring's hope for the reunification of East and West Germany (Haring) (MyArtBroker).


Haring's mural was a subversive act aimed at highlighting the absurdity of walls and borders. He saw the Berlin Wall, a stark symbol of division during the Cold War, as antithetical to his ideals of unity and peace. By painting this mural, Haring sought to make a bold statement against the physical and ideological barriers that the Wall represented. He described the mural as an attempt to "psychologically destroy the wall by painting it" (Haring) (MyArtBroker).


The mural was painted on the East German side of the Wall, which added an element of danger to the project due to the strict surveillance and the presence of armed guards. Despite the risks, Haring completed the mural in a matter of hours, demonstrating his characteristic speed and efficiency. The figures in the mural, with their continuous interlocking forms, visually communicated the idea of people coming together to overcome division (MyArtBroker) (Highsnobiety).


Although the mural was quickly covered over by other graffiti and eventually lost when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, its legacy endures. Haring's Berlin Wall mural remains a powerful example of how art can challenge political structures and advocate for social change. It is remembered not just for its visual impact but also for the boldness of its message and the bravery of its execution (MyArtBroker) (Maddox Gallery).