A&U Magazine: Collect Them All

via A&U Magazine
August 2010, Issue 190, NewsBreak – Headlines
 

Collect Them All

Trading cards have long been a staple of sports fans, so what better way to recruit fans of safer sex and AIDS awareness?  Featuring adrenaline-pumping photographic images of men in sports gear, Visual AIDS’ Play Safe Trading Cards were created in response to the absence of sexy and straight-to-the-point HIV prevention messages in New York City, where Visual AIDS is based, and across the nation.  Along with Cover the Stump tote bags by Steve DeFrank, the trading cards are part of the Visual AIDS’ annual Artist Edition Broadside project.  The mission of Visual AIDS is “to fight AIDS by provoking dialogue, supporting HIV-positive artists, and preserving a legacy, because AIDS is not over.”
 
Four artists – Aaron Cobbett, inkedKenny, Greg Mitchell and Slava Mogutin – were each commissioned to produce new works for two trading cards and one sticker, which are bundled with condoms and lube.  Emblazoned with “Get Your Game On” and “Play Smart”, the back of each card features need-to-know information about harm reduction, HIV testing, and port-exposure prophylaxis.  Each card pays tribute to a different sport.  The set of eight trading cards and four stickers was designed by past A&U contributor John Chaich.

In collaboration with The Men’s Sexual Health Project (M*SHP), which promotes sexual health among en who have sex with men in NYC and provides free on-site testing for HIV and STDs at sex clubs and parties, Visual AIDS freely distributes the Play Smart trading cars around New York City this past June during Pride Month. Distribution will continue throughout the summer and fall at various sites throughout the city, including bars, sports clubs, and LGBT organizations, while supplies last. A list of locations (including those outside on New York City) is available here.