AM I?  ARE YOU?

Photograph © 2006 Justin Thai, www.JustinThai.com

Minnesota AIDS Project and Intermedia Arts present a unique event in observance of World AIDS Day on December 1, 2006. Highlighting the event is the premiere of AM I? ARE YOU?, a project by Twin Cities photographer Justin Thai, with a reception and discussion from 6:30-9 p.m. at Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis. The event is free and open to the public.

Designed to confront the viewer on perceptions of what people living with HIV look like, AM I? ARE YOU? is an evocative photographic exhibit featuring fifty portraits that challenge the observer to determine which 25 of the 50 models are HIV positive.  Photographer Thai noted, “I wanted to raise awareness that HIV is still impacting us and that the stigma of the disease hurts those infected.” 

MAP Executive Director Lorraine Teel comments, “World AIDS Day is the one day of the year when the media and the public are focused on HIV.  We are pleased that Intermedia Arts and MAP can provide an experience and a space where people can come together to talk about HIV and go away, empowered to take action to stop the virus."

Thai approached Minnesota AIDS Project about the possibility of partnering to bring his concept to the public.  MAP’s Positive Link, an empowerment program for people living with HIV, agreed to the collaboration and with the photographer have been working throughout the year to turn AM I? ARE YOU? into reality.

Andy Ansell, Health Education Coordinator for MAP, called MAP’s involvement with the project a natural partnership. “People don’t always understand the emotional toll that living with the virus causes.  Being involved in this project gives us the chance to break some of the stereotypes associated with HIV and helps us continue to foster good open dialogue about the disease.  We’ve come a long way in treating HIV, but still have a long way to go in talking about it.”

In addition to Thai’s compelling photography, the December 1st event features a panel discussion with the artist and some of his models—both HIV negative and HIV positive.  Positive models will talk about their personal experiences of disclosure, with whom they shared their positive status, and why.   HIV negative models discuss why they agreed to be photographed for this exhibit, risking the misperception that they are HIV positive because of their participation.

Started in 1988, World AIDS Day is not just about raising money, but also about increasing awareness, education and fighting prejudice. World AIDS Day is an important reminder that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

For more information contact:
Dawn Renee Jones at 612/373-2410
Andy Ansell at 612/373-2466

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