This program centers on works from the Marieluise Hessel Collection that address HIV and AIDS as a defining force in queer history and contemporary art. Through two short presentations by CCS Bard students Gladys Lou and Luis Juárez, followed by an open discussion, the conversation will examine how artists transformed grief, anger, and activism into enduring cultural legacies during the height of the AIDS crisis.
The conversation will explore why Marieluise Hessel prioritized acquiring these works, and how their selection shapes the museum’s commitment to preserving histories of resistance, care, and queer community. Artists to be discussed include Andy Warhol, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Keith Haring, David Wojnarowicz, Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe, and General Idea, among others.
This program is held in conjunction with the Day With(out) Art 2025 looping presentation of Meet Where We’re At... The aim of these activities, organized at CCS Bard in collaboration with the Visual AIDS Foundation through Day With(out) Art, is to foster ongoing awareness, visibility, and dialogue around the struggle, stigma, and lived impact of HIV and AIDS.