Constructing, Deconstructing, Reconstructing Stigma: Closet No Longer

Analysis of both the history and intersectional effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in America as and the concept of stigma, examined through art and activism, results in mechanisms that work to dismantle and reframe their current surrounding health inequities.  They are chronic, yet manageable and further advancements towards prevention in the progression of HIV/AIDS are found through community, expression, and sharing information.

On Friday, December 1, 2023 (35^th World AIDS Day) a sculpturally based performance on the Quad at Syracuse University will be realized. Constructed will be a 4’Lx4’Wx8’H closed made of ”2×4” wooden studs, a bi-fold closet door, and fabric scrims. The wooden studs will be used to build the structure’s frame, while the fabric scrims will act as the walls. This part of the event will primarily be demonstration by the artist for the roughly the first two hours. After the closet has been safely assembled the artist will then open the structure for public interaction along with pamphlets of information about HIV/AIDS, conversation around the topic, and information to resources in the area regarding testing, PrEP, and treatment. For roughly two hours it will be experienced from within one person at a time, while conversation occurs outside of the closet. The artist will then initiate the deconstruction of the walls. With audience participation, piece by piece the closet will be dismantled and stacked, again one participant at a time, until it is a structure no longer. The scrims will continue to exist and serve as archive. As a community we will take account of the materials we now have to use due to deconstruction and collaboratively design bookshelf(bookshelves). We will reconstruct what was once the framework of the structure into a new community-based object for sharing information. The completion of the bookshelf signifies the end of the event.