In fall of 2004, eleven high school students from throughout New York City met at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum to participate in an after-school program called “Keith Haring: New Wave Aztec.” Students explored two exhibitions: The Aztec Empire and an exhibition of original works by artist Keith Haring, then created their own digital animations in Flash MX, inspired by the works on view.

Over seven weeks, students identified themes and dualities that resonated in both exhibitions, such as life and death, power and struggle, and discord and harmony. In The Aztec Empire, the group decoded symbols such as the serpent, the eagle, and the skull. An exploration of Keith Haring’s work focused on his appropriation of ancient signs and symbols that were drawn from Aztec imagery, as well as Mayan, ancient Egyptian, and African traditions. Using the computer animation software program Flash MX, students created an animated symbol to express a duality that had meaning in their own lives.

The course culminated with a presentation of student work in the New Media Theater in the Sackler Center for Arts Education on December 8, 2004.

Keith Haring: New Wave Aztec was co-taught by new media artist Michael Bell-Smith; Education Manager for New Media, Rosanna Flouty; and New Media Intern Austin Fisher.

“Keith Haring: New Wave Aztec” was organized by the Sackler Center for Arts Education at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, in concert with the Keith Haring Foundation.

The exhibition and related programming is supported by the Keith Haring Foundation.

Additional credits.