Kerckhoff's tribute to AIDS awareness combats ignorance, fear with reality
New exhibit celebrates human strength, spirit when faced with death
By Emily Forster
Paint isn't always what it seems.
Artist Jose Alvaro Perdices mixes watercolor paint with HIV-infected sperm to create his work. The combination symbolizes AIDS itself; just as people who have AIDS look healthy for the majority of their lives, Perdices' paintings seem "normal" but contain the hidden element of death.
Under the shadow of the pandemic of AIDS, UCLA's Cultural Affairs Commission and Student Welfare Commission have organized a new Kerckhoff Art Gallery exhibit showcasing works that deal with the disease. The four artists selected to share their artwork in honor of AIDS Awareness Month include Albert Winn, R.D. Riccoboni, Jose Alvaro Perdices and Susan Kleinman.
Albert Winn's work consists essentially of black and white photographs. He began taking pictures of himself eight years ago when he decided to re-create his life story. On display are four photos that he took when he first learned he was HIV-positive.
Winn enjoys telling people stories about his life, whether they are written to explain the photos he takes or read out loud. He has read stories on the radio and he will be telling one during the opening reception tonight.
For Winn, his personal stories are important to society's understanding of AIDS.
"People who have AIDS, or any kind of illness, tend to be secretive, but that leaves too much to the imagination. It makes you less of a person and more of a mystery. If you're open, people will have a better understanding of you," says Winn.
However, Winn does not display his work with the sole intention of making people aware of AIDS.
"I don't do the work to help people understand AIDS. It's me and my life and I happened to be diagnosed along the way," explains Winn.
In contrast to Winn's simple, dark photos, Riccoboni's work is an explosion of vibrant colors on canvas. Said Riccoboni to explain his uplifting paintings, "I want people to see my work and feel the fire and passion for the simple everyday things in life we tend to forget."
The featured work portrays friendships that have developed throughout the years and those that have abruptly ended.
"I understand the sense of loss we all feel. The men I portray so tenderly are my friends. Many are now spirits, but I can touch them when I paint," says Riccoboni.
His work, which has been featured in magazines and newspapers, is currently on permanent display in over a dozen galleries.
Riccoboni's work has even received recognition from the White House. Kristine Gebbie, President Clinton's National AIDS Policy Coordinator, has supported Riccoboni and attended the art exhibit featuring his work at the Rand Schrader AIDS Clinic.
Perdices has also received attention for his work, but most of the interest revolves around his unusual way of mixing paints. The AIDS-infected sperm he paints with was donated by friends.
"The making of the drawings has been possible with the generosity of my best friends, who gave such unique treasures, which are in the limit of the extremes," says Perdices.
UCLA alumni Susan Kleinman's work is widely recognized for her chaotic abstract paintings and creative use of color.
"The shapes and design of this piece illustrate the chaos and havoc of dealing with the AIDS crisis. Its bright colors on a dark background signify hope and high spirits, despite the darkness," says Kleinman.
Collectively, the works of these four artists bring AIDS to the attention of the campus.
"This kind of thing shouldn't be hidden. We need to combat ignorance with knowledge, not secrecy," says Winn.
EXHIBIT: Presented by the Cultural Affairs Commission in conjunction with the Student Welfare Commission at Kerckhoff Art Gallery. Opening reception at 7 p.m. tonight. For more info call (310)206-6564.