Tutto Mondo by Keith Haring - Pisa

This artwork, titled Tuttomondo (All the World) is one of the few permanent paintings by this graffiti artist. It can be seen on the side wall of the Monastery of Sant'Antonio, near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.

Haring created Tuttomondo in 1989, a few months before his death. He completed the 180 square meter artwork, which is populated by thirty figures, in exactly one week. If you look closely, you will see all kinds of figures that symbolize peace and tolerance, with a dolphin at the top (symbol of the beautiful relationship between man and nature) and next to it a man with scissors for legs, who holds a snake (symbol for evil - think to Adam and Eve) cut in half.

The idea for this work of art came about by accident when a student from Pisa bumped into the artist in New York. They got to talking and soon the idea arose to make a beautiful mural in Pisa. It was clear from the start that it would be a permanent painting – Haring wanted to allow enough time for it and decided to travel to Tuscany.

After arriving in Pisa and a warm welcome, he only drew the black outlines on the first day, just by hand. The following days he colored in the figures, with the help of a lot of students and artists from the Carapol Center. Incidentally, the paint comes from the same Carapol Center; they have selected a type of paint that not only lasts a long time on the wall, but also retains its color for a long time. After all, the work of art is exposed to the elements every day, and it must of course remain on display for as long as possible.

After all, Haring knew he didn't have too long to live, but thanks to this beautiful mural with its colorful, energetic figures, he gives Pisa a lasting vitality, a sincere ode to life!

willem vandenameele