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About Visual AIDS
Founded in 1988 by arts professionals as a response to the effects of AIDS
on the arts community and as a way of organizing artists, arts institutions,
and arts audiences towards direct action, Visual AIDS has evolved into an arts organization with a two-pronged mission. 1) Through the Frank Moore
Archive Project, the largest slide library of work by artists living with
HIV and the estates of artists who have died of AIDS, Visual AIDS
historicizes the contributions of visual artists with HIV while supporting
their ability to continue making art and furthering their professional
careers. 2) In collaboration with museums, galleries, artists, schools, and
AIDS service organizations, Visual AIDS produces exhibitions, publications, and events utilizing visual art to spread the message "AIDS IS NOT OVER."
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Program Overview
Visual AIDS continues a history of internationally renowned art projects,
like the [Red] Ribbon Project and Day Without Art, with an exciting schedule
including:
- The Robert Blanchon Estate Project at Visual AIDS' production of the
first and only monograph of this influential conceptual, photo-based artist
(1965-1999). With the support of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual
Arts and 2002 seed funding from The Judith Rothschild Foundation the
catalogue was published in September 2006 and is available from D.A.P. or Visual AIDS.
- The Frank Moore Archive Project continues to provide a community for
HIV-positive artists, as a home base and a network. The only slide library
of its kind, it represents 15,000 works by 380 professional visual artists.
Open to the public by appointment.
- Programming, lectures and exhibitions: Visit our blog at
http://newsgrist.typepad.com/visualaids/ and join the e-mail list for notice
on rotating events and information about the monthly, guest-curated Web
Galleries.
- Broadsides: AIDS awareness art posters produced by contemporary artists.
2005 Broadsides included work by Carrie Moyer, Joe De Hoyos, Deborah Grant,
Neil Farber, Derek Jackson, and Chris Johanson. 2006 Broadside artists
include: Curtis Carman and Ginger Brooks Takahashi.
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History
Founded in 1988 Visual AIDS was one of the first national initiatives to record the impact of the AIDS pandemic on the artistic community. It brought together the arts and AIDS communities through its renowned national projects DAY WITH(OUT) ART, Night Without Light, and The Ribbon Project.
DAY WITH(OUT) ART has evolved since its inception in 1989 to become a day with art -- a collaborative project by over 6,000 arts communities around the world which demonstrates the power of art to raise awareness of the ongoing AIDS pandemic. For one day -- December 1st/World AIDS Day each year -- it encourages the arts communities to remember those who have died from AIDS related illnesses and brings together diverse audiences in shared commemoration. It gives a showcase to the work of artists living with HIV/AIDS through exhibits, workshops, seminars, lecture programs, film screenings, performances and Web projects.
The Ribbon Project was created in 1991 by the Visual AIDS Artists Caucus, a group of artists who wished to create a visual symbol to demonstrate compassion for people living with AIDS and their caregivers. Inspired by the yellow ribbons honoring American soldiers serving in the Gulf war, the color red was chosen for its, "connection to blood and the idea of passion -- not only anger, but love, like a valentine." First worn publicly by Jeremy Irons at the 1991 Tony Awards, the ribbon soon became renowned as an international symbol of AIDS awareness, becoming a politically correct fashion accessory on the lapels of celebrities. While this has caused concern to many activists, who worry that its meaning has become trivialized, as well as denigrated by the proliferation of "kitsch" ribbon objects, the Red Ribbon continues to be a powerful force in the fight to increase public awareness of HIV/AIDS and in the lobbying efforts to increase funding for AIDS services and research.
Visual AIDS
526 W. 26th St. # 510
New York, NY 10001
phone: 212.627.9855
fax: 212.627.9815
e-mail: info@visualAIDS.org
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