The concept originated with the show ‘MAKE ART/STOP AIDS’ which premiered in February 2008 at the Fowler Museum at UCLA in Los Angeles. The core exhibition is slightly changed, and also includes new works from South Africa. This flexible format intends to focus on the country that hosts the exhibition, whilst simultaneously offering an international perspective in each country. ‘MAKE ART/STOP AIDS’ is the signature international project, founded in 2004 in India, by the UCLA Art/Global Health Center. Its mission is to unleash the transformative power of the arts to advance global health. The project envisions a world in which artists, medical officials, and public health experts work collaboratively, informed by the principles of human rights and social justice.

This version of the show has been jointly curated by Carol Brown (Independent curator) and David Gere (Professor of World Arts and Cultures at UCLA). The overall focus of the show is on issues surrounding treatment. One of the iconic works is called ’Medicine Man’ and is made up of over 300 medicine bottles and syringes used by the two American artists, Daniel Goldstein and John Kapellas, who have lived HIV-Positive for over twenty years. Daniel Goldstein will be in Cape Town for the exhibition opening to create a South African version of the 2007 ‘Medicine Man’ installation. The new installation will be built from ARV medicine bottles collected locally.

Another key work, the ‘Keiskamma Altarpiece’, celebrates the renewed hope of life given to the community of Hamburg in the Eastern Cape, after being provided with access to antiretroviral treatment. This spectacular artwork has been embroidered, beaded and appliquéd by over 120 people in the district and is inspired by a sixteenth century work by German artist, Matthias Grünewald, who created a painted altarpiece namely the Isenheim Altarpiece. The ‘Keiskamma Altarpiece’ is large – 4.1 x 6.8 m when fully opened. It has recently been exhibited in cathedrals in the USA and Britain, to great acclaim, and can now be seen at Iziko Museums. Due to the size of this art work and the restrictions with regard to low ceilings at the Castle spaces, the Keiskamma Altarpiece will has been displayed prominently in the foyer of the Iziko Slave Lodge, corner of Adderley and Wale Streets.

The exhibition also features works by Indian folk artists who use scrolls to speak to the community about HIV/AIDS. Represented is the work of a pair of young artists, Jiten Thukral and Sumir Tagra, who have recently become the hottest property in the contemporary art market. Their playful painting refers to Bollywood movies and romantic notions of love, whilst endorsing condom use.

Condoms have also been used by Brazilian artist, Adriana Bertini, whose fashion creations made of brightly coloured condoms rival any designer outfit. Included will be several mannequins with these creations.

South African artists include Clive van den Berg, William Kentridge, Churchill Madikida, Langa Magwa, Penelope Siopis, Gideon Mendel and others.

The exhibition is traveling through South Africa and is intended to put the spotlight on the importance of access to treatment. The Durban Art Gallery has supported the traveling show in South Africa, partnering with the Fowler Museum at UCLA. It has been endorsed and assisted by the United States Consulate in South Africa and the Indian High Commission in South Africa. Iziko Museums of Cape Town is the last exhibition venue in South Africa.

For further information contact Carol Brown at cbrown.durban@gmail.com or phone 083 778 1192, or Esther Esmyol at eesmyol@iziko.org.za or phone 021 464 1262.

Walkabouts by curators and artists: 9 November at 10h30, 12h30 and 14h30 20 November and 18 December at 12h30 Book for walkabouts with Shanaaz Galant Tel 021 464 1276 or email sgalant@iziko.org.za

Opening hours and entrance fees Iziko at the Castle of Good Hope: Tel. 021 464 1272 or Fax 021 464 1280 Open daily 09h30 – 16h00 Closed: Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Adults: R25 (Sundays R15) Pensioners with SA pensioner cards: R15 Students with SA student cards: R10 Children: (under 5 years) Free; (5-16 years) R10 (Sundays R5) Booked school groups: R5 per learner

Iziko Slave Lodge: Tel. 021 460 8242 or Fax 021 460 8238 Open: Monday to Saturday 10h00 to 17h00 Closed: Sundays, Workers’ Day and Christmas Day Visitors 16 years and older: R15 Under 16 years free South African pensioners, school learners and students: R5

Iziko Museums of Cape Town is a non-profit organisation partially funded by the National Department of Arts and Culture. Funding support from individual, corporate and donor sponsors enables the organisation to ensure the widest possible public access to Iziko Museums of Cape Town collections and sites. Plans in the pipeline include the imminent 2009 opening of the Iziko Social History Centre, to be located at the former National Mutual Building on Church Square, Cape Town. The twelve Iziko Museums, each with their own history and character, are: