Event: Ceremonial Fire & Hear Me Presentation

Presented by Kinstillatory Mappings in Light and Dark Matter and the New York City AIDS Memorial

On April 22, Kinstillatory Mappings in Light and Dark Matter and the New York AIDS Memorial presented a ceremonial fire alongside a second presentation of HEAR ME: VOICES OF THE EPIDEMIC, our open-space sound installation composed of historical texts, poetry, speeches, music, and more that capture the history and ongoing story of HIV and AIDS in New York City which first premiered in December 2020 at the Memorial. Examples from the soundscape include a powerful speech by Vito Russo (1946-90), a song composed by Michael Callen (1955-93), historic recordings of an ACT UP-led protest made by artist David Wojnarowicz (1954-92), personal reflections from attendees of the 1991 Native Americans, Two Spirits and HIV conference, and poems by Melvin Dixon (1950-92), Constantine Jones, and Kia LaBeija. 

Kinstillatory Mappings in Light and Dark Matter is a monthly ceremonial fire organized by Emily Johnson and Karyn Recollet centering Indigenous protocol and knowledge, with guest artists and activists engaging us through music, dance, poetry, and more. Support is provided by Abrons Arts Center.

This event also supported LOVE POSITIVE WOMEN, a project created by AIDS activist and long term survivor, Jessica Whitbread,  that uses social media to link local grassroots gestures of love and care and support for women living with HIV. Shirlene Cooper, project director of the Women's Empowerment Art Therapy Workshops at Visual AIDS joined as as special guest.

Also on hand were members of the collective What Would an HIV Doula Do? who presented VINCI (Activist Self Portrait), a poster project they did in collaboration with artist Jordan Eagles, featuring the work of artist Bryn Kelly (1981-2016). 

This program was free and everyone is welcome. No prior experience with fire or HIV required.