note 188

Gran Fury is an Arts Collective connected to ACT UP New York, making all kinds of graphical material for gaining public attention for the AIDS crisis. At the Venice Biennale in 1990 there was a lot of press attention for their graphic activist posters about AIDS. Being the producer I know that In Paradiso they behaved like ‘stars’, not even wanting to hang their own banner properly on the front of the building. In the Art Debate during the 0+Ball, they criticized the 0+Ball and its organization in an ‘imperialistic fashion’ (Duyvendak & Schutte, 1990). The Americans thought we should discuss more drug policies, that we should connect more with ACT UP USA and that the audience in Paradiso should be more focused on interests instead of sharing information. Dutch participants and a few other Americans emphasized the different political climate in Holland compared to the States and formulated their appreciation for the orchestration of the 0+Ball.