Client: Lincoln Rd. Business Improvement District - Miami South Beach, CityKids

Overview

Event: Miami Art Week during Art Basel Miami
Location: 640 Lincoln South Beach, Miami
Commission: Lincoln Rd. Business Improvement District, CityKids NYC
Medium: Adhesive 3M Matte Vinyl + Paint Pen
Dimensions: 36′ x 17′

Goals

Over the course of Miami Art Week, "Because Liberty is Broken" was displayed in the 640 Lincoln Road space and participants collaborated with HVY and CityKids to write directly onto the mural created in honor of the original "City Kids Speak on Liberty" mural by Keith Haring. Hundreds of participants wrote their names onto the artwork as it was only through collaboration that the mural can be completed as a participative reflection: that it's only through the larger social, cultural, and political collaboration can liberty be restored for all and the flame handed safely to future generations.

Additional Information

Influenced by the DIY skateboard graphics of the 80's and the physics-bending capabilities of 3D engines, HVY's digital work often synthesizes analog, hand-drawn designs with hyperreal renders. HVY's "Because Liberty is Broken" is not only a play on Haring's "wobbly" comment but also an homage to the original hand-drawn aesthetic and to his collaborative process. As a part of the original mural creation, Haring and CityKids curated the kids' thoughts on liberty and freedom and had them paint those thoughts onto the massive canvas.