Aimar Arriola | Goldsmiths, University of London

In 2016 I was invited to present my thesis-related exhibition 'AIDS Anarchive' in San Sebastian, Basque Country, as part of the city's programme as the 2016 European Capital for Culture. The exhibition addresses cultural responses to the HIV pandemic in Spain and Chile, and serves as the practical component of my PhD. A year later the exhibition was presented in Madrid in the context of World Pride 2017 and the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the LGBT+ movement in Spain. This gave members of the movement an opportunity to engage with civic society, helping to change social perceptions around the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis, as well as informing my academic work. Throughout my time as a CHASE researcher, I've been lucky to meet new people doing HIV-related cultural work in and out academia, building a community of interest and support."