Ministry of health: Vik Muniz

Original work by Vik Muniz opens the Brazilian Ministry of Health AIDS campaign
On December 1st the Brazilian artist Vik Muniz will be in Brasilia to inaugurate his newest creation: "The Kiss" is a large mosaic created with the participation of around 1,200 people who live with HIV/AIDS.
The delivery of the piece marks the launch of the Brazilian Ministry of Health's World AIDS Day 2009 campaign and brings up the theme of prejudice, an issue that still impairs and limits the lives of those with AIDS. Beyond the art itself, which will be shown in the São Paulo Museum of Modern Art (MASP), the campaign has a 60" opening video and a behind-the-scenes documentary, both created by Master.

By invitation of the Ministry of Health, in September this year around 1,200 people living with HIV/AIDS and sympathizers of the cause got together in a stadium in Guarulhos, São Paulo, to work on the mosaic. Photographer and artist Vik Muniz recorded six large mosaics created by plaques held up by the participants. The mosaics were images of kisses, a universal symbol of love and solidarity.
According to Vik Muniz, the inspiration for the work came from a real life experience. Years ago the artist visited a friend who was very sick with AIDS. Due to the lack of information at the time, Vik did not have the courage to kiss his friend good-bye; his friend died shortly after. To this day the artist profoundly regrets this event and for that reason selected the kiss as his tribute, not only to his friend, but to all those who live with HIV/AIDS. The documentary, recorded on the same day, provides more detailed information about the project, with testimonials from the artist, the crew and the Ministry of Health team who organized the event. Starting on December 1st, the video, the documentary and photos of its making will be available on the site www.todoscontraopreconceito.com.br.