The World of Google
4 May 2012, www.google.com (worldwide)
On 4 May 2012 one of the digital icons of our age, Google Inc., paid homage to Keith Haring by changing its avatar logo into a series of dancing Haring figures that spelt out the word G-O-O-G-L-E. On this day, the artist’s 54th birthday, it is estimated that somewhere between 200-700 million Google users viewed Haring’s imagery within a 24-hour period.
Haring loved reaching people through his art and sort to make his imagery as visible and as accessible as possible. In the Internet age, being seen on the homepage of Google’s search engine offers perhaps the ultimate platform for connection. In addition, a Google search for ‘Keith Haring’ returns over 5 million results, leading the user into a vast world of Haring information. No doubt this platform for display and dissemination would have fascinated Haring, and Google’s visual tribute is a birthday gift he would have enjoyed.