Dear Friends,
The organizers of the AIDS 2008 Networking Zones for Women, Youth, and Culture at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City (August) are hard at work completing plans for these three spaces.
I am sending this letter now to seek contributions of work in the fields of "arts" and "media" that address HIV/AIDS. Arts and media might include theater, music, dance, film and video, photography, graphic arts, mixed media, painting, sculpture, radio programs, installations, and more.
Unfortunately, because there is no funding for this activity, it will be limited to those individuals and organizations already attending the conference, who can bring their work with them.
In the Youth Zone, arts and media by young people linked to the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS (http://www.youthaidscoalition.org) and the international arts coalition, ActALIVE (http://www.actalive.org), are already planned, and more are welcome.
In the Women's Zone, art for the walls and movies/documentaries are of particular interest. The organizers would love to have work by both younger and older women--the better to increase intergenerational exchange and sharing of experiences and wisdom--as well as by indigenous women.
In Toronto, a moving installation about the female condom was a great example of the arts addressing a serious subject in an entertaining way.
There will be a Women's March and Rally where art is welcomed too: banners, theater, fashion, visual arts.
The Cultural Zone will also welcome arts, performances, improvisation, and all manner of cultural activities used to address HIV/AIDS. Organizers are hoping to include discussions and sharing among artists, nonprofits, scientists, psychologists, and a wide range of others on subjects related to culture and HIV/AIDS.
One important focal point for discussion will be the role of artists in addressing HIV/AIDS, and how arts and media can be even more effective in prevention and education efforts around the pandemic.
Please be in touch as soon as possible with Janet Feldman (all three zones) at kaippg@earthlink.net, Betsi Pendry (Cultural Zone) at bitpendry@mweb.co.za, and/or E. Tyler Crone (Women's Zone) at tyler.crone@gmail.com.
We would like to have a solid idea--by JULY 15th--of who will be participating in each zone, or a combination of two or three zones.
With greatest thanks and best wishes,
Janet
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Janet Feldman
mailto:kaippg@earthlink.net