Exhibition 'VIVONO' at Centro Pecci explores HIV/AIDS in Italy through art and archives from 1982 to 1996

The exhibition 'VIVONO. Arte e affetti, HIV-AIDS in Italia. 1982-1996' is on view at the Centro Pecci in Prato, Italy. Curated by Michele Bertolino, it examines the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Italy through a combination of artworks, archival materials, poetry, and videos. The timeframe spans from the first recorded AIDS cases in Italy in 1982 to 1996, when HAART therapies were introduced at the International AIDS Conference in Vancouver. The show features works by artists such as David Wojnarowicz, Nan Goldin, Andres Serrano, Vittorio Scarpati, and Cookie Mueller, alongside contributions from Italian figures like Patrizia Vicinelli and Francesco Torrini. It includes thematic displays like 'Virus,' 'Stigma,' and 'Cura,' addressing scientific, social, and emotional dimensions. A film by Roberto Ortu, also titled 'Vivono,' is presented, incorporating verses from poets including Dario Bellezza and Pier Vittorio Tondelli. The exhibition emphasizes community voices and personal memories, aiming to reconstruct a historical narrative often marginalized. It also references cultural artifacts, such as Claudio Caligari's film 'Non essere cattivo,' to contextualize the era's struggles. The curatorial approach focuses on creating an affective experience, with preparatory materials like a reader and archive to support visitors. The display highlights issues of isolation, care, and activism, drawing connections to broader necropolitical stigmas. 'VIVONO' serves as a historical prosthesis, offering a platform for previously silenced stories and fostering dialogue around HIV/AIDS in Italian society.