MOVING THE PUBLIC

Affection and counter-discourse in the action "AIDS: for love, use a condom" (Buenos Aires, 1994)

Abstract

This article reconstructs the action “AIDS: for love, use a condom” carried out by a group of artists and activists in Buenos Aires in 1994 when Argentina was approaching the historical peak of mortality and transmission of this epidemic. The action consisted of massive graffiti on the walls of the city. It was aimed at counteracting the state discourse of the first prevention campaigns, marked by a frightening tone regarding sexuality, the lack of mention of the use of condoms to avoid the transmission of HIV/AIDS, and the pressure of the Catholic Church. Methodologically, interviews were conducted with the organizers, and personal archives, journalistic material, and official documents (laws, parliamentary bills, epidemiological bulletins) were used. In conclusion, it is pointed out that this experience made it possible to move different dimensions of the public sphere: the urban space, the dominant discourse, and the State’s response. Likewise, the analysis of this action seeks to contribute to the debates on the relationship between emotions and politics.