Deitch Studios in Long Island City has resurrected one of Keith Haring’s most prolific series of paintings: The Ten Commandments. The installation was originally painted for Haring’s first solo museum show in Bordeaux in 1985, but this will be the first time the commandments have shown in the U.S.
Haring’s interpretations of the commandments are amusingly contradictory. “Thou Shalt Not Steal” is a painting of someone stealing, as though to say: Here’s what not to do. Haring is known for tackling issues such as sex, war and death — exciting issues, all — but The Ten Commandments are awesome not only for their plays on symbolism, but for their scale and color, and sheer dominance of the space. On view until February 15 at Deitch Projects LIC, 4-40 44th Drive, Thursday-Sunday 2-8pm.
