World AIDS Day: Day without Art
Today, World AIDS Day, the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York marks the beginning of its 25th Anniversary year of service to the Capital Region; to providing help and hope to thousands of our neighbors who have passed due to the virus, and to the thousands more in our community who are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
December 1 is also the 19th anniversary of Day Without Art, which started as a National Day of Action and Mourning to make the public aware that AIDS can touch everyone and inspire positive action. The arts community did what it does best – use its powerful, creative voice to get people to think, learn and take action. Out of this day came the Red Ribbon – standing for clarity, unity, compassion and determination.
In that spirit, twenty-five of the Downtown Albany BID’s Sculpture in the Streets public art and historic sculptures throughout Albany were shrouded in white with the familiar red ribbon. The 25 public art pieces represent the cultural, historical and social diversity of Albany. HIV/AIDS has affected – and continues to affect – every aspect of our community. Each sculpture shrouded today represents a year in the history of the AIDS Council, and how the AIDS Council provides service to every aspect of the City of Albany, the Capital Region and Northeastern New York.
At a press conference today at City Hall, Mayor Jennings and special guests Kate Shindle — Miss America 1998, Broadway Star and AIDS Activist — and Leigh-Taylor Smith, reigning Miss New York State, helped to reveal the meaning of the shrouds as an observance of Day Without Art and to help bring attention to the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York.
So today as you look out across the landscape of Albany and you take in the 25 white shrouds with the striking red ribbons where once beautiful art stood, take a moment to think what would happen if this art disappeared permanently. What would the City of Albany be like if the AIDS Council disappeared? What would happen to the world if we don’t recognize that there has been progress – but still no solution – to the HIV/AIDS epidemic?
You can help stop HIV/AIDS. Get tested. Get involved. For more information on how you can help, please visit www.aidscouncil.org.
Sculptures Shrouded in Commemoration of World AIDS Day/Day WithOut Art
1. “Harmony”* – North Pearl St. & Hudson Street
2. “Strength”* – North Pearl St. & Beaver St.
3. “Volta Del Gioioso”* – North Pearl Street & Maiden Lane
4. “Torso”* – North Pearl St. at Capital Repertory Theatre
5. “The Throwdown”* – Palace Theatre
6. “ Night Fire”* – I-787 Off-Ramp
7. “Triangle Tango”* – Across from Tricentennial Park.
8. “Red Bud”* – Tricentennial Park
9. “Assiduity”* – Tricentennial Park
10. “Mayor Whalen” – Tricentennial Park
11. “The Hudson”* – Albany Center Gallery
12. “Pondrat”* – Broadway at Hudson River Walkway Bridge
13. “The Guardian”* – Broadway & State St.
14. “Hjelmos”* – 110 State
15. “Central Essence” – State St. & Lodge St
16. Sculpture Garden – Albany Institute of History & Art
17. “Henry Johnson” – Washington Park
18. “Burns Monument” – Washington Park
19. “Moses” – Washington Park
20. Spanish-American War Memorial – Townsend Park
21. “Philip Schuyler” – City Hall
22. “Mayor Erastus Corning, 2nd” – Academy Park
23. “Joseph Henry” – Academy Park
24. “Lewis Swyer” – Academy Park
25. “Martin Luther King, Jr.” – Lincoln Park