NO EVIL

Ignorance=Fear,Silence=Death  Haring, 1989

As briefly mentioned within the introduction into Haring’s work, Haring featured many political and social commentaries within his work. This ranges from the election of President Ronald Reagan to a light hearted campaign ‘gays against facial hair’ (in which he is said to have stencilled this slogan upon buildings across New York).

Throughout his career Haring’s work featured issues such as the use of drugs, sex, life, death, pollution, war and the AIDS epidemic. 

Particularly after Haring’s diagnosis of the AIDS virus his work  built upon creating an awareness for the public to the issues surrounding HIV and AIDS. Working alongside ACT-UP the AIDS activism group, Haring created the slogan and logo “Ignorance = Fear, Silence = Death” (above) featuring three figures; one covering eyes, the second ears, and the third the mouth referring to the well known ancient Japanese proverb of the three wise monkeys who "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". Within his interpretation of this ancient proverb Haring refers to Western culture's interpretation which widely is used as means of referring to those who may deal with evil or impropriety by not acknowledging it or feigning ignorance.
This same interpretation of the proverb of the three wise monkeys shall be used within the final film Radiant Baby Manifest through the exploration of semiotics.

The study of semiotics (or semiosis) is the science and theory of signs and symbolism and the analysis of systems of communication such as language and gestures,  Professor Gary Shank of  Duquesne University defines semiosis as the process of rendering our world as meaningful and significant (Shank, G., 1995).

Within this particular medium of dance the language used being a non-verbal form instantly falls into a question of interpretation and semantics. Therefore a clear, calculated methodology in creating movement vocabulary should be used in order to communicate clearly the intended theme of ignorance in relation to the proverb of the three wise monkeys.

Gestural movements featuring the dancers covering their eyes, ears and mouths for example create a strong image that holds clear relation to the proverb. However it shall be the movement surrounding these gestures that shall create force in interpreting the overall theme of the film. 

Whilst viewing dance and art the audience is enabled to make an informed interpretation of the contents or meaning of the work due to the display of vocabulary of the language used (whether this be textual or physical). This usually is displayed through the use of a repeated gesture/movement/word and through it's repetition becomes significant and holds stronger meaning. 

Within the choreography the motifs used in which dancers cover the eyes, ears and mouth shall be repeated and developed in order to hold the strong symbolism of the proverb of the three wise monkeys and Haring's Ignorance=Fear. 

Sources:

• figure1: Haring, K. 1989. Ignorance=Fear [Poster] Available at: http://www.haring.com/cgi-bin/art_lrg.cgi?date=1989&genre=Editions&id=00253  [Accessed 22 January 2011]