Art and socialism
nanoor
ArtSexuality2b.pdf
But now we have to go back to the early 80s to find a different trajectory for
gay artists. Unfortunately, gay men were the first hit in the epidemic. Because
of discrimination, AIDS became a political as well as public health struggle.
Historically now, all of these are inextricably linked.
Reagan Administration's Chilling Response to the AIDS Crisis
We were NOT ‘all in this together…’
Why? Listen…
homophobia
Wall Street Die-In, late 80s. /
Gay activists, many putting their art careers on hold, resorted to performance art/street
theater strategies to call attention to the disease and the need for drug research.
ACT UP ‘zap,’ Paris, 1993
‘Zaps’ were staged for the media, such as this appearance of a huge condom on a
Paris street obelisk, encouraging safe sex.
David Wojnarowicz, Iolo Carew, 1988-89 and Untitled (face in dirt), 1990
See Article and Video
Wojnarowicz resorts to
performance art as a powerful
protest against government
inaction, pharmaceutical
companies’ corruption and
majority indifference.
Family and friends would sew panels for
their loved one, often offering comfort
in their mourning.
New York City Dept. of Health, 1980s
Tibor Kalman Benetton Ad Campaign Oliviero Toscani
The case of Benetton is very interesting: an Italian casual-wear company that launched an ad
campaign with no images or mention of their clothes. Instead, they would address the controversial
social and political issues of the day. This came to be known as ‘shock advertising.’ Have a look…
Oliviero Toscani,
Benetton ad, 1992
Oliviero Toscani, Benetton ad, 1992
Must-watch Video
TBWA, Aids Awareness France, 2005
It took 15 years to find drugs that really worked (as compared with
Covid-19, which took 10 months.) By 1996, new medications were
available which helped manage the virus as a chronic illness rather
than a death sentence.
Happily, artists were able to move on…
• 690,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2019.
• 75.7 million people have become infected with HIV since the start
of the epidemic.
• 32.7 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the
start of the epidemic (compared to 2.7 from Covid-19.)
Question #2 - Please watch the 1984 Academy Award-winning
documentary The Times of Harvey Milk. (Be sure not to mistake
it with the 2008 feature Milk, starring Sean Penn.)
In an extended discussion, tell us what you thought of the film,
and whether you think documentaries (as opposed to narrative
feature films) are an effective form of social activist art?
