compiled by Amanda Elliot
Photographers challenge HIV stigma with images of hope and tenderness
On World Aids day 2003, the gauntlet was thrown down to European photographers
to produce uplifting images that challenged the stigma of HIV and raised the
visibility of people living with the virus.
Hundreds of amateur and professional photographers, many living with or affected
by HIV, responded with gusto, producing a body of inspiring images for the
One Vision European photographic competition.
A man touches fingers with a baby; another tenderly listens to the stomach
of a pregnant woman; a man leaps from a high platform into free fall, hinting
at freedom and endless possibilities; a young Roma family share a smile; a
small boy clutches a box of meds; a man and woman flirt during a rain drenched
parade.
All the winning entries of the of the European One Vision photographic competition
have now been brought together in a stunning 2005 commemorative calendar.
Five hundred of these have been donated to the UKC (UK Coalition of People
Living with HIV and Aids) which publishes
Positive Nation and the National Aids Trust, to raise funds from sales. Buy on line at www.ukcoalition.org
Richard Sawdon Smith, a man living with HIV for the past 10 years, won the UK non-professional category. Listening to Myself: Closed is a self-portrait with the photographer bare-chested holding a stethoscope to his chest. The image is part of a larger project which Richard has compiled, of evidence to show he is "still here".
Richard, director of the arts programmes at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design and author of several photography books, said: "By playing with medical representation and facing up to my HIV+ status I am exploring not just living but trying, however vainly, to have control over this body."
Robert Taylor, chairman of the UK One Vision jury, said: 
"The judges particularly enjoyed its reference to the possibility of a certain degree of control over one's own circumstances, surely a very powerful image for anyone who cares about the quality of life of those living with HIV and Aids
Tim Robinson, of Cardiff, won the UK professional prize with his picture of a newborn baby's hand in the palm of an adult. He said: "Touch between generations implies the passing of experience and knowledge to the newborn and in the other direction, new hope, new life." 
Commenting on all the winners, Robert Taylor, said: "We were impressed by the subtlety and relevance of the personal interpretations of HIV and AIDS, as well as the sense of hope expressed in the winning photographs." UK winners received their awards last month at a special ceremony at Portcullis House, Westminster, hosted by Neil Gerrard, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS.
One Vision was sponsored by Bristol Myers-Squibb. Calenders are now available from the UKC, price £10.
Buy on line at www.ukcoalition.org
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Italian PN design volunteer Antonio Maggi is currently exhibiting his paintings based on his visual interpretation of this country and the contradictory emotions it invokes. England! runs until 13 September at the Barnsbury, Islington. www.antoniomaggi.com |
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ZERO PATIENCE
Musical comedy doesn't seem like the natural format for a film about the
history of HIV. But that didn't worry Canadian writer/director John Greyson.
Imagine Philadelphia crossed with Rocky Horror and you would still be on the
wrong planet. Zero Patience comes complete with underwater ballet, a chain-smoking
drag-king monkey and singing bum holes (a cinematic first and hopefully last).
It tells the story of an uptight 140-year-old Victorian scientist/taxidermist
compiling an exhibition of contagion for the Toronto Natural History Museum.
When a plague rat is unavailable, he decides to investigate the fabled 'patient
zero', a Canadian trolley dolly who allegedly first brought HIV to North America.
While trying to dig up dirt on 'patient zero', he is introduced to the delights
of homosexuality by patient zero's ghost. Confused? Yes, so was I. The film
includes a rather amusing number about bath-house etiquette but mostly the
songs are substandard and the choreography lack-lustre. The plot, such as
it is, is a vehicle for the political views of ACT-UP Toronto and the whole
film ends up as a rant against 'blame culture', drug companies and, well,
homophobic patriarchal culture in general. All well and good but I didn't
really need the lecture. If you can ignore the polemic and revel in the weirdness
then maybe you will enjoy Zero Patience. Otherwise it may well test yours. JC.
Zero Patience is available on DVD priced £19.99, from Virgin, HMV, Tower
Records, Prowler Stores www.millivresmultimedia.com, www.prowlerdirect.co.uk,
mail order on 0845 430 9112.
