Getting to Zero !
World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988. Where did the idea come from? In 1991 – a decade after the emergence of HIV – a group of 12 artists gathered to discuss a new project for Visual Aids. They were photographers, painters, film makers and costume designers, and they sat around in the shared gallery space in New York's East Village. After a short brainstorm they had come up with a simple idea that later became one of the most recognised symbols of the decade - the red ribbon , worn to signify awareness and support for people living with HIV. The artists were inspired by the yellow ribbons tied on trees to denote support for the US military fighting in the Gulf War. Pink and the rainbow colours were r...