(Photo: Proposition Press / The Keith Haring Foundation)
A new pop-up book produced by Poposition Press brings Keith Haring's vibrant and dynamic work to life like never before. The book offers a unique exploration of Haring's most iconic pieces through three-dimensional pop-up spreads. This innovative approach to Haring's art includes beloved works such as "Dog," "Silence=Death," and various sculptures, providing an immersive experience for fans and newcomers alike.
Origins and Development
The project was managed by publisher and paper engineer Rosston Meyer, who collaborated on art-oriented pop-up books earlier. He started in 2013 with "Pop Up Funk," an art exhibit in honor of a comic book artist named Jim Mahfood. To this day, Meyer has worked with many artists to put out over fifty books, prints, and cards. The Keith Haring Pop-Up Book was Meyer's dream project, which she had wanted to bring into reality for a long time, and she officially started working on it when she managed to secure cooperation with the Andy Warhol Foundation.
(Photo: Poposition Press / The Keith Haring Foundation)
Meyer worked further with the talented pop-up book maker and illustrator Simon Arizpe to make this project a reality. When choosing the illustrations from the numerous works in Haring's archive, the two carefully made a visually appealing book. Their task was to select several artworks. However, Haring created millions of paintings and murals. They restricted their choice to the pop-up book and selected the most appropriate artworks. It contains "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell," the only black-and-white pop-up.
Challenges of Paper Engineering
Creating a pop-up book of this nature involves significant time and numerous revisions. Arizpe focused on preserving the spontaneity and energy of Haring's original artworks, ensuring that the pop-up versions retained the vibrancy that characterizes Haring's style. This attention to detail was crucial, as Haring's work holds deep personal and cultural significance for many.
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(Photo: Poposition Press / The Keith Haring Foundation)
The Keith Haring Pop-Up Book features the standard version and the special 'Altarpiece' edition. The standard edition includes 3D recreations of "Sculptures," "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell," "Pop Shop Grid," "Dog," "Silence=Death," and the "Houston Street Mural." The 'Altarpiece' edition offers additional exclusive content, such as the "Once Upon A Time" accordion diorama based on Haring's mural at the LGBTQ Center, a Love greeting card, and a bespoke laser-etched wooden case.
Arizpe's favorite page in the book is the Pink Triangle, a piece transformed into a 3D pyramid. This page conveys the weight and gravity of the original symbol, adding a new dimension to Haring's work. Combined with a pink light slicing through the pyramid structure, it provides a powerful visual representation of the subject matter's gravity and danger.
(Photo: Poposition Press / The Keith Haring Foundation)
Ensuring Consistency with Haring's Legacy
Meyer and Arizpe collaborated closely with the Haring Foundation throughout the project to ensure their work reflected Haring's legacy. Ultimately, the book offers fresh perspectives on Haring's vision and inventiveness while honoring his artistic output.
Pop-up art books can be innovative, as demonstrated by the Keith Haring Pop-Up Book, which also serves as an example of Haring's ongoing appeal. By enabling readers to engage in a tangible and dynamic interaction with Haring's iconic works, it offers a fresh and captivating approach for them to understand his contributions to art and culture.
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