LGBT History Month: John Giorno for Visual AIDS

In 1993, gay poet and performance artist John Giorno (previously here), created two broadside projects for Visual AIDS reflecting on our loss and the way we treat others.

For those of us who lived through the AIDS years, it is very difficult to explain the kind of anxiety and tension we lived with, not to mention the grief. And I can't help but reflect back on those times and have a bit of a PTSD reaction during this current pandemic. There are a lot of psychological similarities.

Visual AIDS Statement of Values

Founded in 1988, Visual AIDS is the only contemporary arts organization fully committed to raising AIDS awareness and creating dialogue around HIV issues today, by producing and presenting visual art projects, exhibitions, public forums and publications - while assisting artists living with HIV/AIDS. We are committed to preserving and honoring the work of artists with HIV/AIDS and the artistic contributions of the AIDS movement. We embrace diversity and difference in our staff, leadership, artists and audiences. In the fight against AIDS, we believe: Effective AIDS advocacy seeks to address the underlying and related issues that contribute to and exacerbate the pandemic, such as poverty, homophobia and racism. Our work affirms the visibility, dignity and rights of people living with HIV and AIDS. HIV/AIDS prevention is about harm reduction that is guided by science, not ideology. We draw from the deep history of art activism, as with our Red Ribbon Project and Day With(out) Art. Visual AIDS promotes art that is public, inclusive and accessible. Art that takes risks promotes and encourages reflection, dialogue and action.

Art is our weapon of choice.

https://www.facebook.com/johngiorno

https://visualaids.org/

In 1993:

• President Clinton establishes the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP).
• World-renowned ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev dies of AIDS-related illness on January 6, and tennis star Arthur Ashe dies on February 3.
• The film “Philadelphia” starring Tom Hanks as a lawyer with AIDS, opens in theaters. Based on a true story, it is the first major Hollywood film on AIDS.
• Angels in America, Tony Kushner’s play about AIDS, wins the Tony Award for Best Play and the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
• In June, the U.S. Congress enacts the NIH (National Institutes of Health) Revitalization Act, giving the Office of AIDS Research primary oversight of all NIH AIDS research. The Act requires NIH and other research agencies to expand involvement of women and minorities in all research.
• On December 18, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expand the case definition of AIDS, declaring those with CD4 counts below 200 to have AIDS.