Silence = Death (dir. Rosa von Praunheim, 1990) documents the early impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York City, and maps the ways in which cultural production and queer activism became closely intertwined. Featuring interviews with Allen Ginsberg, David Wojnarowicz, and Keith Haring, it offers a window into a distinct cultural, political, and historical moment that continues to resonate amongst the work of contemporary artists and writers. A screening of the film will be followed by panel discussion with Olivia Laing (writer and critic), Dr Fiona Anderson (Fine Art, Newcastle University), Dan Udy (PhD Candidate in English, KCL) and Theo Gordon (PhD Candidate in History of Art, Courtauld), and a drinks reception.
This event is co-organised by the KCL Department of English and the Centre for American Art at The Courtauld to mark World AIDS Day 2016.