The legacy of a virus is a complex and interconnected web that spans time and space. As the world commemorates World AIDS Day on December 1st, 2024, the question arises: where does the legacy of a virus truly begin and end? In a society shaped by virality and cultural upheaval, do we still understand the significance of viruses and the impact they have on our lives?
The author reflects on their six years of writing about viruses not from a biological perspective, but from a metaphorical one. This exploration led to the publication of a book titled The Observable Universe, which delves into topics such as the changing notions of corporeality in the digital age, the history of the internet, and the cultural phenomenon of « going viral. » The author’s personal connection to HIV/AIDS, which claimed the lives of their parents in the early 90s, adds a deeply personal layer to their exploration of viruses.
Viruses, structurally simple yet profoundly impactful, challenge our understanding of boundaries and interconnectedness. They blur the lines between internal and external, personal and public, self and other. Despite the clear delineation of viruses as distinct entities, they ultimately reveal the interconnected nature of all things.
The importance of caring about viruses, even those we may not have direct experience with, lies in our capacity for empathy and understanding. In a world saturated with stories of suffering and tragedy, it is essential to embrace our humanity by acknowledging and caring for those affected by viruses and other health crises.
The foundation of World AIDS Day can be traced back to the 1980s, when media coverage of the disease was scarce due to stigma and misinformation. A pivotal moment came when a local television station in San Francisco began covering AIDS as a crisis, shedding light on the urgency of the situation and prompting a shift in public perception. Journalists like Jim W. Bunn recognized the power of media in shaping public response to the AIDS epidemic, leading to educational programming and increased awareness.
Bunn’s work with the World Health Organization further emphasized the importance of global cooperation in combatting AIDS. His idea for World AIDS Day, inspired by the Great American Smokeout, became a platform for raising awareness and mobilizing action against the disease. Through his efforts and those of other activists, the legacy of AIDS continues to be commemorated and remembered on a global scale. By combining their expertise in media, a group of individuals selected December 1st as World AIDS Day in 1988. They anticipated that the post-Thanksgiving lull in news coverage would draw attention to the event. The timing of the first World AIDS Day, falling in an election year, ensured that audiences would be eager for new content.
Each year, World AIDS Day revolves around a specific theme. The theme for this year is “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress.”
In 1989, Visual AIDS, an arts organization based in New York City, launched Day Without Art as a way to raise awareness about AIDS. This initiative called on museums and galleries to disrupt their programming and focus on AIDS awareness. Visual AIDS was founded in 1988 by curators and art critics to use art as a platform for discussing the HIV/AIDS crisis and honoring artists who had succumbed to the disease.
In response to Day Without Art, various institutions took symbolic actions such as draping black fabric on buildings or distributing free condoms. This event has continued annually, evolving into Day With(out) Art in 1997 to emphasize resilience within the art community.
During the AIDS epidemic, every person covered in the media died due to the disease, creating a unique and challenging situation for journalists. The red ribbon, a symbol of AIDS awareness, was created in 1991 by the Visual AIDS Artists Caucus as a way to raise consciousness about the epidemic. The ribbon was handmade by volunteers, including the Armory Ribbon Bee Project, which employed women from a shelter to meet the growing demand for ribbons. For Jackie McLean and the other residents of the Park Avenue Shelter, it was a true lifesaver. After her apartment in the Bronx was destroyed in a fire, McLean managed to find refuge at the Armory Bee, where she found a new sense of purpose through an arts initiative and project management. The interconnected narrative that led McLean from a pandemic to a shelter to a new life is complex and unimaginable, but it is precisely this entanglement that a viral thread has brought to light.
The concept of virality, as explored in Elizabeth Winkler’s essay « The Viral Imagination » in the Los Angeles Review of Books, traces back to the emergence of HIV in the public consciousness. As the world became increasingly networked through the development of the internet, the spread of information and pathogens became seamless and instantaneous, mirroring the way in which viruses themselves circulate.
The outbreak of a novel virus that claimed the lives of millions worldwide further emphasized the interconnectedness of all things. The metaphor of « going viral » took on a new meaning as online culture seemed to manifest in the physical world, highlighting the undeniable interconnectedness of all aspects of life.
Throughout history, events such as World AIDS Day have served as poignant reminders of the impact of viruses on society. From giant red condoms covering iconic landmarks to glowing red ribbons adorning buildings, these symbolic gestures underscore the importance of awareness and solidarity in the face of viral outbreaks.
Metaphor, as poet Mary Ruefle explains, goes beyond a mere literary device and delves into a deeper philosophy of linking one thing to another. The underlying structure of our linguistic and expressive reality is a web of interconnectedness, reflecting the ways in which collective history is engraved on our bodies and DNA.
The human genome’s 8% viral content reveals a history of evolution shaped by our interactions with viruses. As we continue to navigate the complexities of viral outbreaks and interconnectedness, the lessons learned from our past experiences serve as a reminder of the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit. Nos destins s’entrelacent, tels des hélices jumelles, dans une danse mystérieuse où nous nous transformons mutuellement. Chacun de nous a sa propre histoire, unique et captivante, car c’est ainsi que nous évoluons. Personne ne sait vraiment où cela nous mènera, mais une chose est sûre : nous sommes liés d’une manière qui dépasse toute compréhension.
