Note to Correspondents

INTERNATIONAL HIV/AIDS CARTOON EXHIBIT OPENS AT HEADQUARTERS, 1 DECEMBER

The United Nations will host an exhibit of 300 cartoons on the subject of HIV and AIDS, contributed by 50 graphic artists from around the world.  The cartoon exhibit, entitled “Drawing It Out”, will open in the South Gallery of the General Assembly Visitors’ Lobby at 6 p.m. on World AIDS Day, Friday, 1 December.

The International HIV/AIDS Cartoon Exhibit originated in 2004, when the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the Memorial Institute of Graphic Arts first used the art of cartooning to de-stigmatize HIV/AIDS.  The cartoons, grouped into the themes of prevention, treatment and human rights, represent a unique artistic reflection on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and create a vibrant mosaic that enables the audience to approach this serious subject through the lens of humour and art.

This exhibition is sponsored by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR), in partnership with the Brazilian Ministry of Health.  The United Nations viewing marks the fourth and final appearance this year of the exhibit, which was previously hosted at the premises of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the Hostos College Center for the Arts and Culture, and IPPF/WHR earlier this fall.

“By disseminating important messages on AIDS in a form that is understood almost universally, the cartoon exhibition is responding to a call made in the 2006 Political Declaration on AIDS to make HIV/AIDS information more accessible,” said Bunmi Makinwa, Director of the UNAIDS New York Office.

A unique addition to this cartoon exhibit is the display of a four-piece evening gown entirely made out of 12,500 condoms created by artist Adriana Bertini of São Paulo, Brazil.

Media contacts for this exhibit are Newton Kanhema, tel:  212 963 5602, kanhema@un.org and Franck Kuwonu, tel:  212 963 8264, kuwonu@un.org.  For additional information log on to www.ippfwhr.org and www.worldaidscampaign.info.

For more information on United Nations exhibitions, call Jan Arnesen, tel:  212 963 8531; or Liza Wichmann, tel: 212 963 0089, or visit the website at www.un.org/events/UNART.

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For information media • not an official record