Day With(out) Art Event Raises HIV Awareness
Annual Artistic Community Campaign Coordinated by Visual AIDS
Nov 2, 2008
What would the world be like with no art? Since 1989, A group called Visual AIDS has challenged people to think about this chilling idea in an annual event titled A Day With(out) Art. Every December, Visual AIDS helps to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to inspire groups to take positive action.
The First Day Without Art
The first Day Without Art was hosted in conjunction with World AIDS Day on December 1, 1989. Across the United States, more than six hundred galleries, museums, and institutions participated in what the organizers called “the largest event that’s ever happened to focus on the AIDS crisis”.
The event consisted in closing art galleries and removing artwork from public places. Many performances and educational programs were held by volunteers from the art community to show their support for the victims of AIDS. Artwork designed to raise awareness was placed throughout New York City, including posters in all subway cars.
The event caught the attention of a large number of people, including the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts who met with organizers to discuss how an endowment could be used to respond to AIDS crisis. The success of the first Day Without Art has led to an increasing number of organizations participating in this yearly event.
Changes to A Day Without Art
In 1997, the name Day Without Art was changed to A Day With(out) Art. The name change was done to recognize the increasing role that art was playing in raising awareness for the AIDS crisis. They chose to keep the without portion to recognize the fact that there is a possibility of not having any artists if something is not done about the pandemic.
Ideas for Participating Groups
Day With(out) Art encourages everyone to help them raise awareness on World AIDS Day. Here are some suggestions Visual AIDS has for groups who want to participate:
- Design t-shirts that help raise awareness. Have groups of people wear them around and provide information to the public.
- Decorate condom packages using glitter, paint, and glue. Distribute free condoms and information.
- Create educational posters or fliers that help raise awareness. Make numerous copies and hang them in high traffic areas.
- Organize an artist’s workshop featuring an artist affected by HIV/AIDS. Invite people to take an art course and to hear the story of the artist.
About Visual AIDS
Visual AIDS was started by Robert Atkins, William Olander, Thomas Sokolowski, and Garry Garrels, all member of the New York City art community. All four men had been volunteering for HIV organizations. From their work, they were able to see that there was an increasing amount of artwork being produced around the theme of AIDS, and they wanted to provide it with visibility. This group began just before the first Day Without Art, and continues today. Besides continuing to organize Day With(out) Art, Visual AIDS created Night Without Art and the Ribbon Project.
Resources:
Yarrow, Andrew L. "Artists offer 'Day Without Art' to Focus on AIDS." December 2, 1989. New York Times.
Gupta, Sunil, ed. Disrupted Borders. River Orams Press, London: 1993.
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