Jordan Eagles uses blood as artistic medium to challenge FDA's gay blood donation policy
New York artist Jordan Eagles delves into themes of life, death, and spirituality through his work with blood. His Blood Mirror initiative critiques the FDA's 2015 policy, which instituted a one-year celibacy requirement for blood donations from gay men. Initially, Eagles experimented with animal blood, feeling that paint fell short in conveying life cycles. The project included blood drives featuring 59 contributors, such as Rev. John W. Moody, Dr. Larry Mass, Kelsey Louie, and Dr. Demetre Daskalakis. Eagles organized these events, displaying preserved blood sculptures at the American University Museum and engaging in discussions at the Hammer Museum. He contends that removing the ban could potentially save over a million lives each year, merging art with activism.
Key facts
- Jordan Eagles uses blood as his primary artistic medium
- He started the Blood Mirror project in 2013 to challenge FDA policies on gay blood donation
- The FDA amended its lifetime ban in 2015 to a one-year celibacy requirement
- Blood Mirror involved 59 donors, including medical and LGBT community leaders
- The project was shown at American University Museum and discussed at Hammer Museum
- Dr. Peter Marks of the FDA indicated a move toward individual risk assessment
- The Williams Institute estimates lifting the ban could save over a million lives yearly
- Eagles initially used animal blood from slaughterhouses before transitioning to human blood
Entities
Artists
- Jordan Eagles
- Darren Jones
Institutions
- FDA
- Gay Mens Health Crisis
- The Williams Institute
- Hammer Museum
- American University Museum
- FCB Health
- Blood Mirror Project
- CDC
- MSNBC
Locations
- New York
- United States