Global Street Artists are Painting the World (RED) in the Fight Against AIDS, 2019

PAINT (RED) SAVE LIVES is the first global street art campaign created to bring urgent action in the fight to end AIDS. PAINT (RED) is curated by Scott Lawin, founder of Museum of the Street, with support from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Merck /MSD.

“Street art is the original social media. Public artwork transforms the urban environment and serves as a visual communication platform that connects people to ideas and movements. The PAINT (RED) SAVE LIVES campaign brings amazing artists from around the world together to create powerful new works linked through the common visual language of the colour red to captivate viewers and engage them in social change and support for the fight to end AIDS. I’m thrilled that Museum of the Street could help bring the PAINT (RED) SAVE LIVES campaign to life, and I hope these works will inspire other artists and activists across the globe to get involved in improving their communities and creating art with a positive message and impact.” Scott Lawin Museum of the Street

A collective of the world’s top street artists have been painting the cities around the globe (RED). Artists include Add Fuel, Bisco Smith, BRUSK, DALeast, Faile, Faith XLVII, Hera, HOW & NOSM, Inside Out Project, Karabo Poppy Moletsane, Ludo, Olek, Ron English, Shepard Fairey, Stephen Powers, Trevor & Cosmo, and WK Interact have been creating (RED)-inspired street art to support funding for the AIDS fight.

“Street artists have been raising the alarm in the fight against AIDS since HIV appeared — from the streets of New York in the 1980s, and now in the next weeks in cities around the world with Paint (RED) Save Lives. There has been a lot of progress, more than many experts predicted, but not enough yet to put the sirens to rest. Young women continue to bear the brunt of this disease and maddeningly, every week 6,000 of them are needlessly infected.  I’d call that an emergency. (RED) is the colour of emergency.” Bono, co-founder (RED)

“I want the piece to serve as a reminder that in the fight against AIDS, we are stronger together.” Bisco Smith

Key sites in London, New York, Washington D.C., Berlin and Paris have been transformed by street artists during September and early October 2019.

The campaign will culminate in Lyon as the world’s leaders gather to pledge funding to the Global Fund for the next three years. A successful replenishment will help save 16 million lives and cut the mortality rate from HIV, TB and malaria in half.

“I’m always inspired by organisations that aim to minimise suffering and cater to those who need help the most, rather than the affluent or powerful. I don’t believe compassion should have borders. I also admire the model of encouraging businesses to give back and do good things for the world. That philosophy is reflected in my own art and business practice. In my artworks for (RED), I used symbols that I hope apply universally and appeal to the best side of people’s nature. I never want anyone to die prematurely or fail to receive the treatments that can help them. AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis are all huge problems, so I’m happy to be a small part of what needs to be a huge effort to treat them.” Shepard Fairey OBEY

In addition to physical street art, (RED) has collaborated with a number of artists to create custom augmented reality Snapchat Lenses, bringing new art into the digital space and allowing Snapchat users to show and share their support for the fight. Users of Instagram, Facebook and Twitter can also share their use of the Snapchat Lenses.

An auction of pieces donated by many of the campaign artists, plus other leading street artists, will be available for preview on Artsy on October 9th, with the bidding opening on October 14th.  Fifty percent of all sale proceeds will go to the Global Fund.

“PAINT (RED) SAVE LIVES has been made possible thanks to the creativity, culture and generosity of the street art community. As world leaders and the private sector prepare to pledge financing for the Global Fund to fight AIDS next month in France, (RED) is making it easy for people to get involved keep focus on the urgency of this fight -whether it’s visiting a mural in your city or using an AR lens to bring the art right into your living room.  AIDS is still a crisis, but it doesn’t have to be.” Jennifer Lotito, Chief Operating Officer, (RED).

To learn more about PAINT (RED) SAVE LIVES, access Snapchat Lenses and join the campaign, visit RED or follow them on instagram to keep up to date and share your digital images on social media using #PAINTRED and @RED

 STAY TUNED! MORE MURALS POPPING UP ALL OVER THE WORLD SOON!

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