A Visual Activist

An intimate look at the explosive issues that erupted when artists and activists forced AIDS into the public dialogue.

A Visual Activist seeks to inspire and foster a new generation, to expose oppression and censorship, and demand human rights for all people in the US.

The current healthcare crisis and the fight for gay rights are deeply connected to the AIDS epidemic. These issues will continue to mark the differences between elite communities and disposable populations. It is vital that we use history to actively understand what is at stake now.

Our film celebrates artist led activism in response to the AIDS crisis in NYC in the 1980's & ‘90's. Patrick O'Connell, founding director of Visual AIDS, acts as a window into a nearly lost period of groundbreaking American art.
Through interviews with many of the most outspoken artists and activists of the NYC art scene, we are asking the probing questions of media culpability in terms of AIDS casualties in the US.

As we look at the current issues surrounding this topic, we examine the impact of oppression and the power of individuals to create impacting social change. These artist projects included Day Without Art, Electric Blanket, the Archive Project, a Night Without Light, the (red) Ribbon Project, Indomitable Spirit, and Patina Du Prey's Memorial Dress.

Advisors:
Robert Atkins, Brian Kates,Tom Sokolowski,
Jerry Tartaglia, Philip Yenawine







Witness the power of art to reflect, impassion and inspire.





We are proud to announce grants from Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS and Art Matters

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world: Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead

Photograph : Patrick O'Connell by Carolyn Jones 1994
From Living Proof: Courage in the Face of AIDS (read less)

An intimate look at the explosive issues that erupted when artists and activists forced AIDS into the public dialogue.

A Visual Activist seeks to inspire and foster a new generation, to expose oppression and censorship, and demand human rights for all people in the US.

The current healthcare crisis and the fight for gay rights are deeply connected to the AIDS epidemic. These issues will continue to mark the differences between elite communities and disposable populations. It is vital that we... (read more)