During the late 1980s when AIDS awareness was on the rise, several programs to educate people were beginning to develop. In 1988, Day Without Art began with the mission to educate but to also commemorate the loss of several artists.

Today, the annual event has “evolved into an effort/movement to assist artists living with HIV/AIDS and to care for their work and preserve it after they’re gone,” according to a press release.

Now an international program, Day Without Art is one day where everyone is invited to reflect what the world would be like without art and to recognize its importance.

This year, the Iowa State University Museums and the ISU Student Health Center are working in conjunction with several other area AIDS awareness groups to commemorate Day Without Art.

The day of awareness will include the “AWARENESS is more than a (red ribbon) display” that is currently on display at the ISU Health Center and a guest speaker at the Brunnier Art Museum.

Designed in 1993 by Anthony T. Eaton, the “AWARENESS is more than a (red ribbon)” display “consists of a triangular center piece flanked by three individual monolithic, free-standing panels,” according to a press release.

“The three-sided center piece carries the projects theme on one side, the commemorative poem ‘ONE’ on another and the statement ‘AIDS does not discriminate, people do’ on the third,” according to a press release.

In conjunction with the display, New York artist Eric Rhein will speak at the Brunnier Art Museum. Through a slide presentation, Rhein will discuss his personal and artistic growth while living with AIDS.

“The development of my own art over the last 10 years has been greatly influenced by my HIV diagnosis,” Rhein said in a press release.

“A live-threatening illness provides a unique vantage point into the human condition. My art work has provided a sounding board for me to process this experience.”

Rhein’s work includes efforts to merge sexuality and beauty, art and craft, delicacy and resiliency and femineity and masculinity.

In an extra effort to commemorate Day Without Art, The University Museum will also be shrouding select pieces from the art on campus collection.

However, ISU is not the only place joining cultural institutions and artist organizations nationwide to commemorate Day Without Art in the Ames area.

The Octagon Center for the Arts will be closed today and will reopen Tuesday.

The “AWARENESS is more than a (red ribbon)” display will be at the ISU Student Health Center until Dec. 13.

Artist Eric Rhein will be speaking tonight at 7 p.m. at the Brunnier Art Museum.

For further information about Day Without Art contact the University Museums, 294-6469.