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South African Voices:
Towards a Museum of HIV Memory and Learning is proud to be a legacy project
of AIDS2016.
Opening to the public on July 12 at KwaMuhle Local History
Museum, South African Voices strives
to tell the story of South Africa’s HIV history in a manner that is authentic,
elegant, sensitive and holistic. It marks the start of a South African
collection of artifacts, artistic, historic and photographic items that pay
tribute to people affected by HIV.
South African Voices
is a partnership project between eThekwini Municipality, Avacarehealth and
info4africa. It presents a collection of artefacts, artistic, historic and
photographic items that pay tribute to people affected by HIV.
The collected items pay tribute to those who suffered and
succumbed, and those who live with HIV every day in South Africa.
“Created as a legacy project of AIDS2016, South African Voices documents a
critical and defining chapter in our collective history in South Africa. It
offers all people space to celebrate the achievements and reflect on the
journey we have taken from the dark days of denialism and calls to "Break
the Silence" at AIDS2000, to having the largest HIV treatment programme in
the world,” says project director, info4africa’s Debbie Heustice.
Curator Bren Brophy says: “Drawing from the experiences of a
wide variety of stakeholders engaged in HIV-related health care in South
Africa, South African Voices strives
to tell the story of our South African HIV history in a manner that is
authentic, elegant, sensitive and holistic.”
Heustice adds: “As our journey with HIV is far from over, South African Voices is an ever-evolving
collection of memories and stories that explore the lived human experiences of
the South African HIV pandemic. This South
African Voices collection marks the start of a journey towards
institutionalising a museum of HIV memory and learning in South Africa.”
A special project within South African Voices will be the
construction of a Light of Hope- an
interactive sculpture installation taking the form of a large HIV hope light
sculpture. The Light of Hope is being
designed and facilitated by Robin Opperman and Ujala Sewpersad of Umcebo
Design.
The Light of Hope
sculpture will be constructed in the Global Village of the AIDS2016 Conference
this July. Consisting of plastic leaves made from recycled materials, each leaf
will carry personalised, beaded messages of remembrance, hope and celebration.
The idea is for conference delegates to participate in the making of the Light of Hope artwork and in so doing,
contribute their voices to this special, legacy museum piece.
Visitors of the South
African Voices will be encouraged to share their lived experiences of HIV
with the museum by contributing their stories as well as donating archival and
contemporary materials. Beyond AIDS2016, South
African Voices will continue to be a dynamic, creative and equitable space
for learning, dialogue and reflection.
South African Voices
will be open to the public from July 12 to 22 at KwaMuhle Local History Museum,
on Bram Fischer Road. This is adjacent to the AIDS2016 Conference parking.
Special opening times during AIDS2016 event: July 18 to 22 from
08h00 to 16h30. Normal opening times: Monday to Friday: 08h00 to 15h50; Saturdays
08h30 to 12h30 (closed on Sundays)
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