Pisa Assessor Calls Keith Haring Mural 'Perverse Radical Chic' Sparks Backlash
Andrea Buscemi, the newly appointed Lega-party culture assessor for Pisa, ignited controversy by denouncing Keith Haring's 1989 mural 'Tuttomondo' on the 14th-century Sant'Antonio Abate church as 'modest, banal, perverse, and grotesquely radical chic' in his book 'Rivoglio Pisa'. The 10x18-meter mural, Haring's last public work before his death from AIDS in February 1990, was created in four days with permission from the parish and municipality. Buscemi's criticism came amid his own legal troubles: he was acquitted on appeal due to statute of limitations for stalking his ex-partner, but ordered to pay damages and legal costs. A Change.org petition demanding his removal gathered thousands of signatures. Following widespread backlash, Buscemi later retracted on Facebook, declaring 'Long live the Haring mural' and inviting supporters to also visit Pisa's historic frescoes.
Key facts
- Andrea Buscemi is the Lega-party culture assessor of Pisa.
- He called Keith Haring's mural 'Tuttomondo' a 'modest, banal, perverse, grotesquely radical chic' work.
- The mural was painted in June 1989 on the wall of Sant'Antonio Abate church.
- It measures 10 meters high and 18 meters wide.
- Haring completed it in four days with permission from the parish and municipality.
- It was Haring's last public work before his death from AIDS in February 1990.
- Buscemi was acquitted of stalking charges on appeal due to statute of limitations but ordered to pay damages.
- A Change.org petition for Buscemi's removal gathered thousands of signatures.
- Buscemi later retracted his criticism on Facebook, praising the mural.
Entities
Artists
- Keith Haring
Institutions
- Lega party
- Comune di Pisa
- Change.org
- Corriere Fiorentino
- Eclettica Edizioni
- Artribune
Locations
- Pisa
- Italy
- Sant'Antonio Abate church
- Camposanto Vecchio
- San Matteo