His art defined New York’s subways. Now, Keith Haring is coming to Brightline
The designs of Keith Haring once turned New York’s subways into a gallery all their own.
Now, images of Haring’s art will be wrapped around Miami’s newest form of transit, the Brightline. It’s thanks to a collaboration between the Rubell family, one of Haring’s earliest benefactors, as the famed collectors launch their new art space in Allapattah Dec. 4.
“Keith ... was all about the public,” said Mera Rubell. “For him most, the most valued museum was the subway and subway stations. He was always finding ways to reach his public. He created with such generosity.”
The project is made possible through the Rubells and the Keith Haring Foundation with images from artworks in the Rubell Museum’s collection. All Brightline customers will receive free admission to the Rubell Museum by redeeming a special ticket featuring the artist’s work.
Visitors can reach the new Rubell Museum from Brightline via transfer to Metrorail from Virgin MiamiCentral to the Santa Clara stop. The museum is located a short walk away, at 1100 NW 23rd St.
Rubell said Haring’s work still resonates today because the issues he dealt with in his work — race, love and death — still resonate today. She called him an “everyman’s art star.” Haring died in 1990 at the age of 31 due to complications from HIV/AIDS.
“That’s the test of art,” Rubell said. “Why does Michelangelo still resonate, why does the Mona Lisa, why does Da Vinci still resonate? There are certain truths in images that deal with man’s emotional and psychological state, his or her humanity. That’s great art. That’s what makes it eternal, makes it immortal. When an artist achieves that kind of language, that’s great art.”
Brightline has made art central to its mission since launching in downtown Miami in 2018, showcasing local artists’ work, including murals in its lobby by visual artist Typoe.
“Brightline is thrilled to connect our community and share the iconic imagery of Keith Haring across the mega region,” Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline, said in a statement. “Together with the Rubell Museum, we are excited to showcase that our train system is more than just a stress-free way to travel. It also offers increased mobility to the thriving neighborhoods, arts and cultural institutions across the Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.”
The featured train will be stationed at MiamiCentral’s east track Monday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will stay wrapped for six months.
Admission to the Rubell Museum will be free for children 18 and under, students, and active military personnel; $10 for Miami-Dade residents and teachers; and $15 general admission. Information: //rfc.museum/
This story was originally published November 27, 2019 at 6:00 AM.
