Date: Mon, 03 Oct 1994 16:05:20 -0400 (EDT) From: "JOHN FANNING, CDC NAC" P R E S S R E L E A S E *************************************************************** NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION ARTIS ASSOCIATION October 3, 1994 Imagenes Contra el SIDA (Images Against AIDS) One thousand educational exhibit kits will be disseminated simultaneously in Spain, Latin America, the Caribbean, and to the Hispanic/Latino communities in the United States for World AIDS Day, December 1, 1994. The exhibit kits will be distributed to local organizations. Kits will contain 37 posters designed by well known Hispanic/Latino and international artists as well as educational material to inform and raise awareness about the social, psychological and emotional dimensions of the AIDS pandemic. Presented by: The National Education Association, Health Information Network Washington, DC USA James H. Williams, Executive Director Artis Association, Paris, France Jean-Marc Le Coq, Project Director at the Washington, DC Office In collaboration with: United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Health Organization (WHO), Global Programme on AIDS Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Art as a Process of Awareness Art is closely linked to the most profound concerns of men and women. An artist reaches within him or herself to create a work of universal meaning, one which surpasses any fashionable artistic trend. Perhaps better than anyone else, artists can bring an awareness to others through whatever he or she creates. Images are a predominant element in the process. The power of a successful image lies in its ability to remain relevant over time and in its capacity to affect people from different backgrounds. An image is the starting point for reflection, and can reveal an unexpected way of seeing and sharing with others. "The images are the link with the significant other. May you, in this encounter, let your subconscious act and perhaps perceive a different echo, another self. Images have been contagious for a long time and they could help us bond our community stricken by this global disease. May such reflections lead us to change some of our behavior, to increase our understanding, to judge not, to become closer to others, to better help, to better share, therein lies the hope." Bruno Ughetto, Executive Director of Artis Dissemination of the Program One thousand educational exhibit kits will be distributed in Spain, Latin America, the Caribbean and the U.S. to local HIV/AIDS and Hispanic/Latino organizations in advance of World AIDS Day, December 1, 1994. These exhibits are designed to be used for a three year period and can be easily mounted and dismounted to be presented in diverse locations, schools, social and cultural centers, hospitals, universities, city halls, theaters, workplaces, immigration centers. Based upon previous experience, during the first year of the program, it is anticipated that 1,000 exhibits will be utilized in more than 4,000 sites throughout the four areas. By addressing the need for more solidarity, the exhibit is also an opportunity to engender discussions concerning many aspects and challenges of the human experience. Content of the Exhibit Kit Imagenes Contra el SIDA (Images Against AIDS) is a complete educational kit designed to support local initiatives in HIV/AIDS prevention education while providing multi-cultural and worldwide access to its messages. This user friendly and ready-to-use kit includes: - 37 high quality art posters, created by well known Hispanic/Latino and international artists using a variety of media including: illustration, graphic design, painting, photography, etc. In designing the images, these top artists have used guidelines developed by Hispanic/Latino and HIV/AIDS organizations to address relevant HIV/AIDS-related issues in these communities. It is through these images that the viewer is invited to self-reflect, share his or her impressions with others, and progressively acquire awareness about the disease and its dimensions. - 6 posters providing relevant information concerning HIV/AIDS. The text of these posters will be developed by HIV/AIDS specialists. - Educational materials designed to enhance the impact of the exhibit. Materials will also propose strategies for using the exhibit as a tool for supporting local needs and efforts including fundraising and community education. - The kit is delivered in a reusable polystyrene box, and includes all the mounting materials as well as practical advice on how to set up the exhibit. Background Images pour la lutte contre le sida, the first version of this program, was organized for French-speaking countries in Europe (France, Belgium and Switzerland). The exhibit was introduced for World AIDS Day - December 1, 1993. On that day, more than 500 exhibits were inaugurated simultaneously. To date, a total of 749 exhibit kits have been utilized in more than 3,500 locations in the three initial countries. This program has succeeded well beyond its original geographic and cultural scope and is currently featured in more than 40 countries. Issues To Be Addressed by Imagenes Contra el SIDA (Images Against AIDS) The Hispanic/Latino version will incorporate themes relevant to the cultural and psycho-social characteristics of these communities including: - increasing awareness about the epidemic - the concept of care and responsibility - the promotion of dialogue and trust - use of condoms and other methods of prevention - drug addiction - the first sexual act - women and HIV/AIDS - HIV antibody testing - the need for services and access to health care - solidarity, friendship, and respect - pain and suffering - safer sex issues - the passage of time, life and death - teenagers and their experience - children and AIDS - machismo - race relations - homosexuality Participating Artists Artists selected for participation in Imagenes Contra el SIDA (Images Against AIDS) are known throughout the world have been exhibited in major contemporary art museums in Europe, Latin and North America. Some of these artists have already accomplished a significant body of work on HIV/AIDS issues. A list of participating artists is available upon request. Timeline and Budget The scheduling goal of this project is to ship 1,000 exhibit kits to local users in Spain, Latin America, the Caribbean and in the US by the end of November 1994, in time for World AIDS Day 1994. The overall budget for the project will be around $950,000 worldwide. A number of donors have already agreed to co-sponsor the exhibit, but additional private, corporate, and individual sponsors are welcome. We look forward to your participation in this very important project. For more information on the program in Spain and in Latin America please contact: Bruno Ughetto or Amelia Serrano Artis Association - NGO 137 Bd de Magenta 75010 Paris - France Tel: 33-1-42-80-64-17 Fax: 33-1-42-82-96-40 For more information on the Program in the USA and Puerto Rico or Latin America please contact: Jean-Marc Le Coq or Rafael Rivera NEA - Health Information Network Imagenes Contra El SIDA 1201 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 Tel: 1 (202) 822-7570 Fax: 1 (202) 822-7775 Internet: NEAHIN1@AOL.COM The NEA Health Information Network and the Artis Association are non-profit, tax exempt organizations. All contributions are tax deductible.