AIDS Demo Graphics

by Douglas Crimp, Adam Rolston

History of ACT/UP and AIDS demonstrations, with photographs of demonstrations and extensive collection of posters, placards and protest art.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, LGBT, Politics, History, Queer

141 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1990

About the author

Douglas Crimp (b. 1944) was an American writer, curator, and art historian. He was professor in art history at the University of Rochester.

Reviews

[Julene · Rating 5 out of 5]

AIDS Demo Graphics is an excellent picture book documenting the very early days of AIDS with its visual campaigns using photographs from ACT UP actions. Douglas Crimp, art historian, with Adam Rolston did an excellent service putting this book together.

It pairs well with Sarah Schulman's book, Let the Record Show, which documents the history of ACT UP. There are many images you'll recognize if you are familiar with the times: Silence = Death with the pink triangle, AIDSGATE stamped over Reagan's face, and some maybe not so familiar: AIDS IT'S BIG BUSINESS! (BUT WHO'S MAKING A KILLING?), U.S. GOV'T. APPROVES AIDS WARE-HOUSING over a "nightmarish barracks-style shelter." Facts are outlined with dates. This is our history, it's important to remember, and moving to see them gathered in one book.

[Soph Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic collection of gran fury and act up art with details about actions, essential primary source material

[Macartney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this almost two years ago but finally read it after seeing "How to Survive a Plague". Such a valuable primary resource. Amazing that it was published in 1990, when ACT UP had "just" started. Such an insightful and analytical piece of criticism while still in the thick of "IT". Slightly biased against Reagan, Bush and the federal government, but those assholes totally deserve it. Great pictures that I would frame if I didn't want to not destroy my copy of the book.

[Esteban del Mal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reagan can suck it.

[Milo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It's a graphic history of the beginning years of ACT UP from 1987-about 1993. As an activist, artist, and designer this book was super influential to me, and I still appreciate all of the work in it. Unfortunately, I've had probably 4 copies that I keep lending out and never getting back.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing for those times....