At this special event, curator of the Alphawood Gallery Anthony Hirschel gave patrons a private tour of artwork created during President Reagan’s time in office. Audiences learned about how visual artists responded to the AIDS crisis and, in particular, to President Reagan’s refusal to even utter the word AIDS—not to mention his refusing to fund efforts to counter the disease.
The tour was followed by a reading of a selection from Red Flamboyant by Don Nguyen. Inspired by the true story of a woman in Vietnam who started an AIDS support group, this play blends real life with folklore to reflect on the role of citizens and how they can counter stubborn government officials.
The evening concluded with a group discussion led by Silk Road Rising's Artistic Director Jamil Khoury on creating art that responds to political and social crises. The gallery exhibit and the play reading served as examples of such responses.
