Art as a Threshold for Healing During World Aids Day

Tomorrow, December 1st, is World Aids Day.  For the past twenty-one years, Michael Dowling, through his organization, Medicine Wheel Productions,  has created a twenty-four hour art installation designed to bring people together for healing. Being a part of these World Aids Day vigils has been a privilege.

Yesterday, I stopped by the Cyclorama, where the Medicine Wheel vigil has been held, with my parents. The Cyclorama has its own amazing history.  It once housed a circular art installation of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Each year, there is a collection of vessels, ready to accept the offering that people want to leave.  These vessels may look like eggs boxes, suitcases and trunks, but during the vigil, they are the sum of their parts, a symbolic healing place.

Each year, the installation centers around one of the four elements. You can see pictures of past installations here. 

Michael is back to air and the items that have been left for the past 21 years are now hanging on red ribbon.  Visitors to the installation will add their own red aids ribbons in memory of loved ones lost.

Recognizing World Aids Day with a community of people gathered for healing is a potent reminder of how each of us is the world to at least one person.  If you are in the Boston area, I encourage you to make your way there tomorrow.