introduction: Tal Lanir, Curator of Interdisciplinary Art, Tel-aviv Museum of Art

Kenny Scharf’s art is colorful, lively, and fun, which is probably why it’s not as revered as that of his two friends from the 1980s New York art scene: Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Scharf liked to create from trash and paint entire walls or objects in flashy colors, resulting in an unrestrained art that’s reminiscent of children’s drawings.

Scharf began his career as a graffiti artist. He was a leading figure in New York’s innovative and free nightlife and art scene in the ’80s. While his peers eventually gained recognition from the art establishment (and sold their works for millions), Scharf’s status in the art world had its ups and downs. This film, co-directed by his daughter Malia, doesn’t try to glorify Scharf and his art; instead, it creates a portrait of a charming, modest, realistic man along with his crazy and mesmerizing works. Finally, it’s worth noting that, while many of his friends from the ’80s art revolution died during the AIDS epidemic, Scharf is alive and well and continues to create art.

Before or after the screening you may visit the project “Downtown: Illustrations at the Golda Parking Garage” – seven wall paintings in the Golda parking garage.