aids, archives, and art, assemblies in Belgium

I got involved as co director of "aids, archives, and art, assemblies in Belgium" early in 2023. This project is aimed at community building through three assemblies (in 2023 and 2024) as well as events with different audiences. It aims at devising processes to carry out projects on aids, archives, and arts made by and for people concerned with HIV and aids. 

As a co-director, I have not only been able to adapt this project to what it has become, but also to make some sweet artwork as part of my research. This is coming straight from my tailoring studio, with patchworking techniques, some sweet grid work, lettering, appliqués, good ol' drawing with a swing machine, and hand stitching techniques. 

The Blanket as we call it, is inspired  by the aids quilt of 1985, it measures just under 2m by 2m. The blanket, and more specifically the research project, was conceived in responce to the events around the 40th anniversary of the aids epidemic outbreak in New York. In 2021, the 40th anniversay made waves in the art world where art exhibitions, and events whose central theme was HIV/aids, were happening in major institutions. 

Our project, and this blanket, are inspired by the work of HIVDOULA and their series AIDS IS AIDS AINT where they aim to demystify contemporary aids experiences through collecitons, discussions and live events.

"aids, archives, and art, assemblies in Belgium" has remained an intimate project only for those concerned with HIV/aids in Belgium. 

In December of 2023, the Aids Sofa was conceived as a device to help start conversations around topics related to the experience of those living with HIV. 

The following three main questions lead a discussion with myself, Nixie, Raphaël Kelanyagi Jr. and our audience at the Kaaistudios in December.
- Can we take a break from disclosing our HIV status?
- How do we deal with STI's?
- Whose aids? Who owns aids?
The conversation was recorded and can be listened to on the Radio Panik website, it was aired on Monday April 22nd, 2024 on PLEIN LA TÊTE POUR PAS UN ROND. INFO/DÉBATS, under the title: WE NEED TO TALK (NOUS AVONS BESOIN DE PARLER) 

The sofa's aim is to travel around Belgium and eventually around the neighboring countries to enable this kind of conversation around HIV, aids, and serophobia.