Artists' action around AIDS

The purpose of the ?“Artists Action Around AIDS?” Workshop is to explore the role of the cultural arts in the struggle against the pandemic, together with the need to reassess the language of the cultural arts as a dynamic force - not only to ensure a better dispensation for infected and affected communities (through social and political change and education) but also as a means of understanding, exploration, healing, growth and transformation.

At first glance, it may seem that ?‘artists acting around AIDS?’ refers to the capacity that the arts have to effect change and awareness around what is broadly perceived to be a health issue. Given this framework, culture is seen as a means to an end, in that the expressive arts provide an effective vehicle for the ?“messaging?” of information and as an educational tool.

The languages of the arts, versatile and creative as they are, cross boundaries of culture, language, literacy and religious belief. Not surprisingly, collaborations between visual artists, the media, performing artists and educationists have resulted in effective projects and campaigns that highlight the issues and myths surrounding HIV/AIDS. The ?“physical face of AIDS?” can, in many instances, be traced to the dedicated attention of artists as an expression of their broader commitment to archiving, documenting, exploring and expressing the human condition.

In South Africa the rise of the anti-apartheid movement led to the development of ?“resistance culture?”. A recent discussion paper noted: ?“These organisations and movements were a testing ground for a range of alternatives to mainstream, colonially derived cultural production ?… and could re-infuse the cultural arena with rich critical debates?…?”. Arts writer Mario Pissarra notes that: ?“Certainly, the current artistic environment where ?‘development?’ has become synonymous with individualistic careerism can be challenged by an alternative model based on the notion of artists working together for change.?”

Central to the real development of ?‘artists acting around AIDS?’ is the need to re-open the debate that art is more than a mere tool for social activism. Art for art?’s sake has the power to transform life. In a recent interview with artist Kendell Geers that focused on the efficacy of art as activism, he says, ?“I use reality to provoke art and I use art to provoke reality?…. for me, being in the world ?– the revolution of everyday life ?– is my primary activity, and art is the residue.?”

Art-making often reflects only the residue of creative activity and experience.

The personal and collective psychology surrounding HIV/AIDS reflects the contradictions and paradoxes of a disease that on the one hand evokes fear, stigma, alienation, isolation, sickness and death, but also manifests emotional and social responses of celebration, courage, determination, hope, faith and social upliftment.

Against this backdrop of immense human challenge and suffering, the arts explore and express the subtleties of human perception and experience and the collective and universal nature of human emotion.

A humanistic view of the world suggests that knowledge and understanding must be acquired by engaging with a world of meaning, values and emotions. Experiential art-making engages these faculties and awakens growth potential that is healing, commemorative and life-affirming. Integration of body and mind, acceptance, forgiveness, loss and grief are archetypal human progressions not unfamiliar to the language of art - sight; hearing; thought; memories; ideas; beliefs; attitudes; touch; smell; taste; feelings and dreams.

Art as an existential, humanising force gives voice to the ?“un-seeable?” - that is, the spirit or the soul. As mirrors of the soul the arts are rather like waking dreams. Their ability to engage us in our own explorations speaks to a generosity of spirit that distinguishes the artist?’s intentions.

Art allows intimacy and alienation to co-exist. The order inherent in works of art always edges towards chaos. Risk and experimentation are essential - this embodies the soul's constant state of flux.

The growth of consciousness on life?’s pathway is the very process of art-making and lies at the heart of the contribution artists make when they ?“act around AIDS?”.

Workshop themes

• Myths

The myths that surround HIV/AIDS enable the disease and contribute to social and cultural practices that permeate all levels of human activity. The cultural arts, given their attention to communication, psychology, documentation and the subtleties of human perception, may provide new insights into how and why HIV/AIDS myths pervade human interactions.


• Gender

Gender stereotypes underpin discrimination and inequalities, contributing to the pandemic. The cultural arts are well placed to explore these stereotypes.


• Children

The cultural arts are creative and expressive. They cross boundaries of language and culture and, as such, may conceivably give voice to a sector of the community that is often abused, neglected and silenced. Art heals, inspires and teaches.


Workshop aims and objectives

• To give artistic reflection, translation and presentation to the above themes.


• To educate through art and entertainment.


• To enlighten and sensitise participants by identifying cultural components in addressing HIV/AIDS.


• To give voice to the cultural dynamics of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.


• To provide a platform for expression.


• To magnify the impact and role played by the cultural arts in the politics and dynamics of HIV/AIDS, and the link between the cultural arts and the scientific community.


• To inspire creativity and commitment.


The following ?“threads?” will give focus to the aims and objectives of the Workshop and provide a framework for discussion and creative activities:

• Acknowledge


• Celebrate


• Commemorate


• Challenge and Commitment


*Acknowledgethe contribution of those who have given and continue to give to the struggle against HIV/AIDS.
*Celebratethe many positive strides that have been made in the struggle with the hope of further gains.
*Commemoratethe lives of those who have been lost to the pandemic.
*Challengeand educate those who are and remain ignorant and silent, and to make a commitment to cultural arts interventions.

(*As identified by the International Working Group of the XIII International AIDS Conference, 2000)

For further information on HIVAN's Artists' Action Around AIDS Campaign, including registration information, please click on the link on the righthand side of this page