Artist/Maker
Keith Haring
(American, 1958 – 1990)
Silence = Death
1990
Cotton
28 × 28 in. (71.1 × 71.1 cm)
Gift of Roy R. Eddey
2013.31.2
"Silence=Death," the rallying cry of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP), refers to the importance of increasing information and public awareness of the AIDS disease. ACT UP was formed in New York City in March 1987 as a diverse, nonpartisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis. They met with government and health officials; they support research and distribute medical information as well as hold public protests.The pink triangle and “SILENCE = DEATH” slogan was designed by the SILENCE = DEATH Project, a collective of six gay men, in 1986 and popularized by ACT UP the following year. The triangle was taken from the inverted pink triangle used by the Nazis to designate and track gay men during the Holocaust. SILENCE = DEATH refers to the inaction of politicians and public health officials during the AIDS crisis, which primarily affected the LGBTQ/gay community and immigrant populations in the United States.
Keith Haring, a gay artist with AIDS, created many pieces of art, publications, and advertisements for fundraising efforts and educational materials during the AIDS Crisis.
ClassificationsCLOTHING AND FASHION
