Visual AIDS, a New York-based artist collective that works to educate people about HIV and AIDS, recently asked photographers to collaborate on a collection of trading cards called Play Smart. Each card is packaged along with a condom, lube, a sticker and information on HIV and AIDS based on harm-reduction models.
Amos Mac, the publisher of Original Plumbing, a magazine about and for FTM trans men, is one of the photographers for the series. “I believe that art is a vector for understanding, which is why I so admire and respect the work of Visual AIDS,” says Mac on the website. “It is my hope that these images will help spark some crucial discussions about sex, gender, safety and fun.” Amos was interviewed for Xtra in February of this year.
Another artist is Christopher Schulz, he of Pinups and SETH fame (links NSFW). One of his models is Graham Kolbeins, who has been featured in Xtra as well as on this blog. Schulz wrote on the site that “I’ve admired Visual AIDS for quite some time and was thrilled to be invited to contribute to the brilliant PLAY SMART project. It is an honor to be able to help spread such an important message of HIV prevention and AIDS awareness alongside such talented artists.”
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Finally, it is the weekend — time for your weekly office dance party. This week it’s thanks to Azealia Banks and DJ Cosmo (who used to hail from Halifax) and a recent mixtape. It features Banks’s “212” and Zebra Katz’s “Ima Read,” two of my fave tracks right now.
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