A Day Without Art
ChART Contemporary is an independent curatorial lab and art consultancy based between Beijing and New York, which is spearheaded by Megan Connolly, sister of the Head of the Art Department Ms. KC Connolly, and dedicated to bringing together art and people. In a world where HIV/AIDS continues to spread at an exponential
rate, ChART Contemporary mobilized the Young Guerrilla Informers (YGI’s) in 2008 to spread awareness and bring A Day Without Art to Beijing.
On December 1st 1989, A Day Without Art (DWA) was initiated by a group of art professionals. Over 600 museums, galleries and other arts institutions across the United States participated in DWA to raise international awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Events included gallery closings, temporary removal of artworks from gallery walls, memorial services, performances and educational programs. This year marks the 20th anniversary of DWA, which falls on World AIDS day.
On December 1st 2008 at 4:04 PM, 8 YGI’s accompanied by several supportive allies went underground armed with over 1,500 AIDS ribbons and a surplus of awareness. The troops jumped on the last subway car at the Taiyanggong Station (Line 10) and made their way through the train producing a sea of red ribbons among the masses. With each step, the YGI’s informed Beijing commuters about the significance of A Day Without Art and the reason for World AIDS Day while pinning the mothers, fathers, daughters and sons with one, two and in some cases a dozen AIDS ribbons.
This year, the YGI’s and ChART have partnered with Beijing World Youth Academy to organize this program. We are asking galleries in the 798 Art District to close their door between 4:30 - 6 PM on December 1, 2009. The YGI’s will be stationed outside the participating spaces spreading awareness by distributing AIDS ribbons and stickers designed by Chong Zhang, a senior at Beijing World Youth Academy. Your support is greatly appreciated and needed. We hope you will join this cause.
In the media
