Michelle wants to end HIV stigma

AN innovative art exhibition, created by youth from Lesotho and South Africa will be displayed at the AIDS conference at the Durban International Convention Centre.

Young people from Lesotho and South Africa have united to create art to end the HIV stigma and discrimination. The AIDS SolidariTree installation will be on display at the world’s largest conference on a single global health or development issue, the International AIDS Conference is from Monday, 18 July to Friday, 22 July.

The creation of the AIDS SolidariTree involves a collaborative journey through two countries with some of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world.

Approximately 23.4 per cent and 18.9 per cent of the Lesotho and South African population have HIV respectively.

The AIDS SolidariTree team is led by former Hillcrest High School headgirl, Michelle Vogelzang, used Kickstarter (the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects) to successfully crowdfund the art exhibit.

Vogelzang and team have worked with young people in Lesotho to build the tree-like installation and young people from a township in South Africa to paint it.

“All the young artists involved had the opportunity to participate in discussions and workshops that will equip them to think about HIV and stigma in their own lives or in their own communities,” she said.

An accompanying photography exhibit, highlighting the work of the same young artists, will provide many with the first opportunity to display their own pictures of community life on an international platform.

“The AIDS SolidariTree is unique as it allows youth participants to gain personally from the project but also to give to the exhibit as much as they choose.

“By providing various avenues to share their story, these participants, many of whom are directly affected by HIV/AIDS, can share as much of themselves and their story as they wish. The complete structure will be exhibited at the International AIDS Conference where it will become an interactive installation.

“People are invited to add leaves in the form of red paper AIDS ribbons. Each ribbon, which includes a personal message of hope or experience with stigma, is a pledge by the participant to work to end HIV-related stigma and discrimination,” said Vogelzang.

For those who will be unable to attend the conference, pledge ribbons are being collected via the AIDS SolidariTree website and social media accounts.

“The final work of art will demonstrate the collective desire and will to address this deep-rooted issue beyond the conference and around the world,” she added.

Visit their website: www.AIDSsolidaritree.org or email team@AIDSsolidaritree.org or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AIDS-SolidariTree-Art-to-End-Stigma-