Charing Cross tube station will be giving away free pop-art posters by the American artist, Keith Haring next week, as well as displaying two of his artworks in the UK for the first time.
(c) Absolut
Haring was an artist who was probably best known for his “dancing men” motifs, and often worked on public artworks for community centres rather than the mainstream galleries.
Not totally adverse to money, he also took on commercial commissions, and one in 1986 was to design two paintings for Absolut Vodka, which they used as decorations for their bottles.
For two days next week, visitors getting off the escalators at Charing Cross tube station will be greeted in the ticket hall by the 1986 paintings, which are also the first time they will be displayed in the UK.
Additionally, visitors can also take away a free poster depicting one of Haring’s displayed paintings, while stocks last.
The artwork will be on display on Wed 17th and Thur 18th September, although the posters can be assumed to run out on the first morning.
(c) Absolut
There will also be some additional roundels on display, showing the station as “Harring Cross”.
(the usual station name roundels and signs aren’t changing)
Emma Strain, Customer Director at Transport for London (TfL), says: “The London Underground has a long-standing connection to the art world, so we’re delighted to work with Absolut to be able to host Keith Haring’s art at Charing Cross Tube station. Activations like this provide our customers with a new way to experience art in London.”
Absolut will also be re-releasing the 1986-designed bottle next month.