10. NYC Aids Memorial Songs For A Memorial
Through September 6, 2022, the New York City AIDS Memorial will present a series of visual art and cultural programming designed to illuminate the history, struggle, and future of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York City. At the centerpiece of this public programming is Songs For A Memorial, a 12-text based, polychromatic LED sculptural installation by Houston, Texas based-artist Steven Evans. The installation seeks to evoke neon signage and the dynamic energy of nightlife in its design.
Around the edges of Songs For A Memorial are illuminated titles from songs that tie directly to the period surrounding the onset and height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic including the 1970s hit “Love is the Message” by MFSB and Bronski Beat’s 1980s British-pop synth classic “Why.” In utilizing these song titles, Evans’ piece highlights the complex relationship between loss, love, sadness, and celebration that speaks to the narratives of individuals and our society’s collective memory.
