"Memories from the heart of the Aids crisis shows true love in a time of terrible tragedy.."

[JHan]

These heartbreaking and incredibly moving images show the affection and love shown during the height of the Aids crisis. Photographer Gideon Mendel’s project The Ward began in 1993 when he spent a number of weeks on the Charles Bell wards in London’s Middlesex Hospital. All the patients on the ward were dying with the knowledge that there was no cure for the disease. During this time antiretroviral medications were not available and patients on the ward faced the prospect of an early death.

One photograph of John and his partner Michael kissing on a bed is particularly touching and presents a totally different portrayal to the fear and homophobia sometimes exhibited during the crisis. Mendel says that patients on the ward, many of whom were young gay men, displayed incredible bravery by allowing him to photograph them considering the high levels of stigma and fear of Aids which existed at the time.

Despite the highly negative portrayal of the Aids crisis, Mendel captured truly moving and beautiful pictures of his subject’s families, lovers and friends. During his time on the ward Mendel photographed patient’s treatments and everyday hospital life. He also captured the intimate way in which patients and hospital staff interacted with one another. Mendel commented that the staff became far more attached to their patients than was commonplace in hospitals at the time.

South African-born Mendel has focused heavily on the impact of HIV/Aids during his career around the world. After documenting the struggles and injustices of Apartheid in South Africa, Mendel turned to photographing a new epidemic affecting the world. At the time those suffering from HIV and Aids were generally demonised due to fear and misunderstanding.


Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2018/05/26/memories-from-the-heart-of-the-aids-crisis-shows-true-love-in-a-time-of-terrible-tragedy-7423203/?ito=cbshare

[Coventina]

1. Never forget that GHW Bush helped keep this tragedy going and going.....

[lapucelle]

2. Thank you for sharing this.

How ironic that yesterday's commemoration was lost in the news of GHW Bush's death.

[pamela]

4. I watched Angels in America again yesterday

That quite effectively quashed any sentimentality I was feeling over Bush.

[sheshe2]

3. Powerful pictures.

Thank you for the reminder, JHan.

[Solly Mack]

5. K&R

[leftyladyfrommo]

6. I remember those days. Everyone was dying.

And they died such long, awful deaths.

Those were terrible times.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. Thank you.

I remember, Bill, Scott, Jim, Mary, and others who aren't here because of this shitty disease.