A good friend of mine, Harold, took the opportunity to see the International AIDS Conference on the day SMART had there bus ride.
Here is his take on the conference.
(Disclaimer: He is not from the UK, he just likes to use Lad and Lass)
Interest
Honestly
I have no clue how I get myself involved in these trips on the east
coast to experience movements and conferences; but one thing is always
certain, my camera is definitely within my grips. To be completely
honest, I always felt that I had little to no connection at all towards
the HIV/AIDS issue, or so I thought. Due to meeting a few people
affected by the virus, especially thanks to one young lass, I suddenly
feel enveloped in the subject.
To be more specific I’m interested in the criminalization issues
concerning how countries persecute and/or treat victims or infected
folks that have contracted deadly viruses and bacterias. To see what
those in power are willing to do to preserve themselves is quite
remarkable, sad, but still remarkable, even more so when you’re able to
capture that moment in an image.
The Trip
I
traveled as a guest with the organization SMART Youth to attend to the
International AIDS Conference, in Washington D.C. I think one of the
most memorable parts of the trip was the bus ride itself. (Seeing how we
spent most of the day in that bus, seems logical)
I
met the most intriguing of characters in this bus, and I must say I
really am happy I decided to get up that morning to do so. It was aprox.
a five hour trip with five lads and an army of… lively woman! Talking
to these women on the way to the event and even on the way home really
humanized these issues; issues I’ve studied and heard so much about
concerning the virus.
The
stories, hardships, and that determination to do something about this
disease that have snatched the lives of so many really hit home. Rather
than moping around feeling sorry for themselves, they act. Which can not
only have the potential to move mountains- but people that actually
lend them their ears for just a second and process what emotions they
had to endure and still endure. It’s not one of those moments where you
feel sorry for them and move on with your daily lives, instead these
were stories that inspire and cause one to really value every spec of
health you may possess, and ask yourself why, and be grateful. Suddenly
you feel like doing something about it; which you as an individual can
and should. Of course that’s why SMART Youth was established.
Arrival
When
we arrived with our sore rumps and backs due to excess sitting, we made
our way to the “Global Village”. I can’t help but feel, and excuse the
insensitivity, but as if I was a Comic Con… but for AIDS. It had that
exciting atmosphere, which is good (hopefully that last comment put me
in the clear). Sadly… there was very little to shoot with my beloved
camera. So I was given a grand tour by a very busy young woman, who had
my complete attention. Seeing how I was mostly interested in the Arts in
the event she wisely took me to the best locations exhibiting them.
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to see such beautiful works of art for
whatever reason that was, but I did and it made the trip a greater one.
Photos
The top two photographers that had me in a good trance were Cameron Wolf and Misha Friedman. Cameron
Wolf had stupendous shots of young men in the shots named “The Lotus”
and “Vishnu Garuda”. Though they were more on the fine art department of
photos they were still intriguing. The lighting, the subject
themselves, and the action was all splendid. If I had more time I would
have attended an event that they held with Wolf. But we don’t always get
what we want, now do we?
Next
up is the mysterious Misha Friedman, a photographer whose photos are
my cup of tea. He doesn’t name his photos but that’s even better. It
makes you name them yourself, thus making it have more of an impact and
causes you to remember the image and the feelings it invoked. Misha’s
photos were of a series of how Russia treated patients with TB, HIV and
AIDS. They were taken with B&W film and some digital by what I can
tell, of course taking it in B&W makes it more dramatic. One shot in
particular caught my eye for simple reasons. I called it “The Nurse”.
The lighting, the shadows, and the atmosphere that was captured within
this shot… it’s just amazing. You really feel like you’re in a cold
place. (Russia!) You ponder what the nurse is holding in her hand, what
type of files are those? How is it categorized? Why is it being placed
in a corner? Is it being placed in a corner? Does the nurse sympathize
with the patients? OR is she the nurse that raises hell?
The
next image was used as an ad for a screening at the Global Village the
day before I arrived. A really emotional and powerful image, and to top
it off it has the word “Undefeated” as if the image wasn’t enough.
Guess it’s a movie or documentary on the life stories of young people,
one in particular and I’m assuming it’s the girl in the photo. The story
goes: She lives in London and is caught in a dilemma with a school
secretary who exposes her secret (her having the Virus). Now she has to
face her future, her friends, and herself… something I can imagine all
who have this disease must face.
Thoughts
So here I am, today, (August 9th)
at five in the morning, wondering what more can I say. I wanted to
write how I bumped into an old colleague at the conference and how by
bumping into him I was able to snap shots of Juanes (A well-known
Colombian singer) but it feels irrelevant for some odd reason.
I
always lived life behind the lens. I’m there, but not emotionally. I
see, but I don’t do. I wanted a subject to cover and I think I found a
lead… thanks to all this. Despite my change in major with school, I
still want to document stories with this camera and have it accompanied
with words. To tear down these drapes of fear and unravel the minds of
those who do not understand because of lack of knowledge. Those less
informed fear and they react… let alone if it doesn’t hit home to them,
it’s normal really. With an image you can tell a story, and with a story
you can teach and share an experience that could change a life or two
and cause a dominoes effect.
These
people that I have met, this one girl that lives on with struggles and
keeps on going well or not… moved me. Me, a man who I have always
considered to be an insensitive and cynical person, has made me value my
time, my health, my surroundings and those who I keep close. Most of
all, they have embedded this new sensation to teach and inform. Either
when I jump in that Ambulance or come out with my camera… I know this
feeling will accompany me.
Wow.
Didn’t intend to get all sappy there. Bottom line is, I gained
something irreplaceable by informing myself and humanizing the virus. I
have a new motive to achieve. I have heard stories that I am sure I
won’t forget anytime soon. Above all, I have found a new sense of
compassion of all those men and woman who carry a heavy burden and still
manage to see a positive out of all the pain and still try to aid
others so they may never know such pain.
Though
I may not have this virus, I’ll certainly do my best to do something to
aid those in need against this deadly foe or any epidemic. Inform,
teach, listen, follow and if you’re up to it lead. Never judge and never
falter.
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