Gran Fury Read My Lips Exhibition Jan 31-March 17
Gran Fury was an activist/artist collective that came together in 1988.
The
first comprehensive survey documenting the important AIDS activist art
collective’s work from 1987 to 1995 is set to open on January 31 at 80WSE. The exhibition, curated by Gran Fury and 80WSE Assistant Director Michael Cohen, runs through March 17, 2012.
Angered
by the political sphere’s refusal to address or react to the AIDS
crisis that devastated NYC beginning in the ‘80s and continuing through
the ‘90s, a group of designers and artists formed the collective, Gran
Fury, after meeting through ACT UP (the AIDS Coalition to Unleash
Power).
Photographs
and records from the period help convey the urgency of the early AIDS
crisis that lead many into the streets to demand reforms that changed
public policy and saved countless lives. Gran
Fury’s work raised public awareness of AIDS and put pressure on
politicians, while sparking debate in sites ranging from the Illinois
Senate to the tabloid press of Italy.
Much
like today’s global activists leverage technology and social media to
organize and inform, Gran Fury utilized the tools available to them at
the time. Through media including billboards, postcards, video, posters,
paintings and giveaways, the group was able to heighten public
awareness of AIDS, while compelling politicians into action.
This is such an important piece of our history!
EVERYONE should go see this!
“Gran Fury: Read My Lips” Exhibition Information
80WSE Galleries
80 Washington Square East in Greenwich Village (Between West 4th Street and Washington Place)
Exhibition Dates: January 31 to March 17, 2012
Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30am to 6pm
The exhibition and panel are free and open to the public
Nearby Subways: A, B, C, D, E, F, M, N, R, 4 and 6
BestGayNewYork.com
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