World Aids Day is Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. In conjunction with this event, several global art organizations participate in Day With(out) Art. It began in 1989 as a response of awareness to and mourning of those afflicted with AIDS. Museums typically shroud works of art in their galleries as a means to show how AIDS affects not just those who have it, but also the surrounding community. Given the estimate of 33 million people living with HIV worldwide in 2007, the aim of this event is to show how this crisis touches everyone. While there seems to be a decline in promotion of AIDS awareness through arts organizations for Day With(out) Art, it is in part due to the fact that in 1997 Visual AIDS began conveying this message in the opposite. Now instead of a day of mourning, arts organizations are openly promoting AIDS and HIV awareness and education not just on Dec. 1, but throughout the year.
However you decide to participate on World AIDS Day, the goal is to advocate this critical issue in all forms: protection, support, and more importantly, tolerance. This year’s theme is “Leadership”, and WAD promoters are encouraging everyone to take action. AIDS is not just a medical epidemic; the stigma around it has become a social issue that must be addressed with the utmost urgency.
As part of my commitment to advocate AIDS awareness, here are some links to organizations in the Los Angeles area participating in Day With(out) Art:
Getty Villa- Monday, Dec. 1
Armory Center- not listed on their site, but check out info on Andrew McPhail at THE.
Events in the LA area participating in World AIDS Day:
World AIDS Rides- 28 mile ride begins at 8 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 30 with later event at 6 p.m. (Beverly Hills High School)
Hollywood Remembers- Sunday, Nov. 30, 5 p.m. (Hollywood Lutheran Church)
48 Hours to Action (Featuring The Elevaters) Monday, Dec. 1 6-8 p.m. (UCLA)
Noche de las Memorias Monday, Dec. 1 7–8:30 p.m. (Lincoln Park)
List of World AIDS Day events nation and worldwide
Info on AIDS/HIV:
US Department of Health & Human Services
Other AIDS organizations
Images for your Facebook/myspace to promote World AIDS Day
Other promotions in support of World AIDS Day:
Other Product (RED) sponsors:
-Gap
These are just a few websites that I found with a little investigation. I invite others to do the same and spread the word!
ld
[...] Vote Monday, Dec. 1, 2008: Day With(out) Art [...]