In 1998, I had the honor of designing the centerpiece for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis’ Annual Morning Party on Fire Island, a massive event attended by several thousand people. GMHC, an organization dedicated to ending the AIDS epidemic and uplifting affected lives, resonates deeply with me.
As someone who experienced the fear and uncertainty surrounding AIDS in the late ‘80s New York City club scene, this project was intensely personal. We constructed a 12-foot diameter birthday cake which was installed via helicopter atop a tall pedestal overlooking the beach. I was on top of the pedestal tying the cake down!
This installation, placed high above the waves, marked the beginning of my journey into large-scale community art – a creative collaboration that celebrated resilience, joy, and unity.
Team:
Sophi Kravitz, Victoria Kravitz, Chris Malanson
Partial funding/ partial donation:
GMHC/ Sophi Kravitz
Exhibited at The Pines on Fire Island, New York
