LIGHT IN THE HEAD*
a commemorative work-in-progress
by Jan Gilbert in observance of Day Without Art/World Aids Day

*". . . The story of empathy and tragedy. The story of risk to fulfill desire. The story of a return to continuity. The story of water flowing without effort. The story of killing a bird. The story of resenting. The story of walking through days in the light."

from LIGHT IN THE HEAD by Andrew Forster

at the Contemporary Arts Center
900 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 528-3805
http://www.cacno.org/

In observance of World Aids Day/Day Without Art, on December 1, 1995, a commemorative photo installation by Jan Gilbert was on view in the corner windows and gallery of the Contemporary Arts Center. This was a ulti-disciplinary work-in-progress, incorporating images, texts, light and candles. Movement, perception and boundaries of time, space and memory are some of the issues addressed in this memorial to a lost friend, and to the multitude, taken by the HIV virus.

From 10 am to 5 pm (gallery hours) on December1, Gilbert was on hand in the gallery making and burning her commemorative photo/candles.

The exhibit was able to be viewed by the public from street level (at the corner of Camp and St. Joseph streets) at any hour from December 1 - December 10, and from within the gallery during regular gallery hours.

Jan Gilbert is a mixed-media artist born and living in New Orleans and the recipient of a 1994 Louisiana Division of the Arts Fellowship. Her bookworks have traveled across the United States and to many parts of the world including France, Greece, and to several cities in South America and the Near East. She is presently an art instructor at Loyola University and may be contacted at the following e-mail address: jangilb@accesscom.net

This work by Jan Gilbert, dedicated "to Jamie," was particularly meaningful in the way that the community was involved. Members of Jamie's family attended the performance aspect, the people at the corner bus stop observed the work through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the Contemporary Arts Center's supporters were involved with the work during the evening of the monthly gallery opening. The artist was sincerely receptive to others' input, encouraging people to write their thoughts and responses in a guest notebook, to leave items at a sort of altar, and to converse with her while she was engaged in the memorial candle-making procedure. Over time, the melted candles, the burnt, ashen images that remained, in conjunction with the hanging installation of transparent xerox-transfer panels, created a haunting memorial, as well as a testimony to the feelings of those left behind.

LIGHT IN THE HEAD was made possible by the NEA/Rockefeller Foundation and Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Artists Project Fellowship, and by the Louisiana Division of the Arts. Additional community sponsors include NOLA CANDLE COMPANY, RIDGWAY'S, and TABLE 25. These businesses participated in this project as a commemoration to their loved ones, by supplying in-kind donations of materials, printing, and design services.

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