FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT
Andy Ptaschinski or Newlin Tillotson
Blue Medium, Inc.
E: andy@bluemedium.com/ newlin@bluemedium.com
T: (212) 675-1800
VISUAL AIDS VAVA VOOM SPRING GALA
TENTH ANNUAL VISUAL AIDS VANGUARD AWARDS
Honoring Julie Ault, Jim Hodges and Luna Luis Ortiz
Performance by Justin Vivan Bond
Hosted by Mike Albo
Monday, May 18, 2015, 6:00pm, at Prince George Ballroom, 15 East 27th Street, New York
NEW YORK, April 1, 2015 – Visual AIDS is pleased to announce the VAVA VOOM Spring Gala and the
recipients of the Tenth Annual Visual AIDS Vanguard Awards. The 2015 honorees include Julie Ault, Jim
Hodges and Luna Luis Ortiz. VAVA VOOM co-founder Pavel Zoubok will also be recognized in celebration of
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the 10 Anniversary of the Visual AIDS Vanguard Awards. The benefit will take place on Monday, May 18, 2015
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at 6:00pm, at the Prince George Ballroom, located at 15 East 27 Street in New York City.
Guests will be treated to a special performance by internationally renowned performer Justin Vivan Bond. Actor
and writer Mike Albo (The Junket, Hornito) will be this year’s master of ceremonies. There will also be a silent art
auction organized by Stephanie Roach, Director of the FLAG Art Foundation. Bidding begins online at Paddle8
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[http://paddle8.com/auctions/vavavoom] on May 4. The event will also feature the launch of Seven Days in Salt
Lake City, 2015, a new print edition by Tony Feher to benefit Visual AIDS.
The Visual AIDS Vanguard Awards recognize individuals who exemplify the mission of Visual AIDS through their
commitment to HIV/AIDS advocacy and their support of artists living with HIV. This year, Visual AIDS honors
Julie Ault, an artist, curator, writer and editor who works both independently and collaboratively, often engaging
historical inquiry. Ault's recent exhibitions include Afterlife: a constellation for the 2014 Whitney Biennial and the
collaboratively organized Macho Man Tell It To My Heart at Artists Space, 2013–14, featuring works by Felix
Gonzalez-Torres, Martin Wong, Peter Hujar, Paul Thek, Tony Feher and many others. In 1979 Ault cofounded the
NYC based collaborative Group Material, which presented such projects as AIDS Timeline (1989). Jim Hodges
has, since the late 1980s, created a broad range of work exploring themes of fragility, temporality, love and death,
longing and loss and the formation of queer identity in the aftermath of the AIDS crisis, utilizing a highly original
and poetic vocabulary. His film “Untitled” (2010) was distributed by Visual AIDS on December 1, 2011 in
conjunction with World AIDS Day/Day With(out) Art. When Luna Luis Ortiz tested HIV positive in 1988, he began
his journey as an HIV awareness spokesperson for youth living with HIV, dedicating his life to HIV prevention and
awareness. Ortiz has also been a part of the House and Ball community since 1988, and is currently the father of
the House of Khan. Ortiz is this year’s recipient of the Bill Olander Award presented to an individual in the creative
arts living with HIV, and named in honor of the late New Museum curator and co-founder of Visual AIDS.
This event brings together artists, arts patrons, AIDS advocates, and the LGBT community, who have supported
Visual AIDS’ commitment to HIV prevention and AIDS awareness over its 27-year history. Tickets for VAVA
VOOM begin with Friend tickets for $275 ($500 for two). Patron tables are available for six guests for $3,000;
eight guests for $4,000; and 10 guests for $5,000. Space is limited. For tables and tickets, or inquiries, please
contact the Visual AIDS office at +1 (212) 627-9855 or emcgowan@visualaids.org. For more information
about the event please visit: www.visualaids.org.
Special thanks to sponsors MAC Viva Glam, Blue Medium, Photomatonchic, and auction partner Paddle8.
Selected Upcoming Visual AIDS Exhibitions and Publications
Party Out Of Bounds: Nightlife As Activism Since 1980
September 2015
La MaMa La Galleria, New York
Exhibition curated by Emily Colucci and Osmancan Yerebakan on the intersections of nightlife and AIDS activism.
Hugh Steers: The Complete Paintings
Fall 2015
The first publication focused on the career of painter Hugh Steers (1962–1995), whose life was cut short by AIDS
at the age of 32. The monograph will feature over 500 full-color images of Steers’ paintings on canvas and paper.
About Visual AIDS
All VAVA Voom proceeds enable Visual AIDS’ work utilizing art to provoke dialogue about HIV, supporting HIV+
artists, and preserving a legacy because AIDS is not over.
Founded in 1988, Visual AIDS is the only contemporary arts organization fully engaged in presenting the diversity
of voices along the HIV spectrum through visual arts programs, exhibitions, public forums and publications. We
are committed to assisting artists living with HIV and honoring the artistic contributions of the AIDS movement.
IN THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, WE BELIEVE: Effective AIDS advocacy seeks to address the underlying and
related issues that contribute to and exacerbate the pandemic, such as poverty, sexism, homophobia, and racism.
Our work affirms the visibility, dignity and rights of people living with HIV and AIDS. Harm reduction is essential to
HIV/AIDS prevention that is guided by science, not ideology.
ART IS OUR WEAPON OF CHOICE: We draw from the deep history of art activism, as with our Red Ribbon
Project and Day With(out) Art. Visual AIDS promotes art that is public, inclusive and accessible. We believe art
that takes risks promotes and encourages reflection, dialogue, and action.
For more information about Visual AIDS programs visit: www.visualaids.org.
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