In 1986, Keith Haring worked with The CityKids Foundation and 1000 kids in NYC to create a 90' tall mural titled "CityKids Speak On Liberty" comprised of Keith Haring's dark outlines of his iconic dancing figures and the Statue of Liberty. When asked why the statue's arm was made from oddly curved lines, Haring's off-the-cuff response was "because liberty is wobbly." 36 years later... in 2022, liberty is not only still wobbly, but seemingly broken as the US struggles with maintaining a sense of social cohesion and its cultural and political divisions appear to grow worse each year. The CityKids Foundation has a 38-year history of multicultural bridge building that is needed now more than ever.

Influenced by the DIY skateboard graphics of the 80's and the physics-bending capabilities of 3D engines, HVY's digital work often synthesizes analog, hand-drawn designs with hyperreal renders.  HVY's "Because Liberty is Broken" is not only a play on Haring's "wobbly" comment but also an homage to the original hand-drawn aesthetic and to his collaborative process. As a part of the original mural creation, Haring and CityKids curated the kids' thoughts on liberty and freedom and had them paint those thoughts onto the massive canvas.

Over the course of Miami Art Week coinciding with Art Basel, "Because Liberty is Broken" was displayed in the 640 Lincoln Road space and participants were invited to collaborate with HVY and CityKids to write directly onto the broken pieces of the 3D version of Haring's torch from the original "City Kids Speak on Liberty" mural. Selected participants will complete one of the prompts and sign their names to the artwork as it is through collaboration that the mural can be completed as a participative reflection: that it's only through the larger social, cultural, and political collaboration can liberty be restored for all and the flame handed safely to future generations.