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Armor for AIDS (to Aggie)

Artist Athena Tacha (American, born Greece, 1936)

Date1992

MediumOyster shells and silicone on hardware cloth, with steel chain

DimensionsA: 25 1/2 x 23 1/2 x 10 inches (64.77 x 59.69 x 25.4 cm)
B: 4 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 2 1/4 inches (12.07 x 19.05 x 5.72 cm)
C: 11 1/4 x 8 x 1 1/2 inches (28.58 x 20.32 x 3.81 cm)

Credit LineGift of the artist

Object numberF98-18 A-C

SignedReverse of breasplate, in silver ink on microfoam: "Bill was the first person I knew to have AIDS very early on. The doctors did not know yet the symptoms well, so they were not sure at the beginning. He survived it a long time too, about ten years. He fought bravely, working to the very end. I had almost believed he would outlive it. Mark was very upset by Sam's death. He said it was horrible - he wouldn't want to die that way. But he too died from AIDS, poor man. He did not suffer very long though, I was told; only a few months. To Aggie who is helping so much with AIDS. A. Tacha 1992"

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Collections

Contemporary Art

Terms

DescriptionThree-piece set of armor consisting of breastplate (A), eyepatch (B) and public patch (C). Breastplate consists of hardware cloth form resembling sleeveless shirt which covers the chest and sides of torso. White/pink oyster shells are attached to this with silicone. Steel chains (two at neck, one at base) are attached for wearing on body or suspending from armature. Eye patch or mask is constructed in the same manner also of white/pink oyster shells. Two steel chains are attached at sides. Pubic patch is constructed similarily but uses black oyster shells. Two steel chains attach at waist.

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