Arts & Entertainment

Warhol Museum covers walls with blood for World AIDS Day

Published

5 years ago

December 1, 2019

***Jordan Eagles, Blood Mirror (Illuminations)****, (2015-2017) [Image Courtesy the artist]*

To commemorate World AIDS Day, the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh covered one of its galleries with queer blood.

Jordan Eagles, a New York based artist who has been exploring the aesthetics and ethics of blood as an artistic medium since the late 1990s, teamed with the museum on December 1 to take over a section of its current exhibition, “Andy Warhol: Revelation,” with an immersive light installation called “Illuminations, ruminating on the politics around queer blood, the prejudice facing LGBTQ people because of the stigma of HIV, and the FDA’s discriminatory blood ban against men who have sex with men.

The abstract panels created by Eagles to use in the projections were created with blood donated by 59 gay, bisexual, and transgender men—most of whom use PrEP, according to The Art Newspaper.

Other works by Eagles were included, such as “Vinci (Illuminations),” a recreation of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” in blood, which provokes debate over whether $450 million+ price recently paid for the Renaissance masterwork might have been more wisely spent on medical research that could advance the progress toward a cure.

*Artist* ***Jordan Eagles*** *(Image courtesy the artist)*

Talking about the installation, Eagles said, “With my work I want viewers to experience blood in a way that expresses our common humanity and our ability to save lives. I also want viewers to experience the energy of blood and to question more about these key policy issues and health implications at play.”

Chief curator José Diaz called Eagles’ installation “a dynamic and moving presentation.”

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Arts & Entertainment

Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns bigger than ever with two-day WorldPride celebration

Published

17 hours ago

April 15, 2025

Staff reports

The Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier will be extended to a two-day celebration in honor of WorldPride coming to D.C. this year. Taking place on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at The Wharf, this year’s event promises more entertainment, more community, and more pride than ever before — all set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of our nation’s capital.

With the addition of Friday, the party kicks off at 3 p.m., with the inaugural WorldPride Boat Parade at 7 p.m. As an Official WorldPride Partner event, the boat parade will feature 30 decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel. For information on signing up for the boat parade contact Stephen Rutgers at [email protected].

Saturday’s signature Pier Party kicks off at 12 p.m., featuring a drag show, DJ’s, streaming of the WorldPride Parade, and the iconic Fireworks Show Presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation — one of D.C. Pride’s most anticipated spectacles.

“We’re expanding Washington Blade Pride on the Pier to reflect the excitement and momentum building for WorldPride in D.C.,” said Blade publisher Lynne Brown. “It’s a celebration of our community’s progress and a powerful reminder of the joy and visibility Pride brings to the heart of our city.”

Now in its seventh year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.

Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access, hosted bars, and private viewing areas for the boat parade and the fireworks show. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.

Friday VIP: 5-9 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, cash bar and complimentary drink.

Saturday VIP Session #1: 2-5 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered food, and an open bar.

Saturday VIP Session #2: 6-9 p.m., enjoy the air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered snacks and dinner, and open bar with a front-row view of the fireworks.

Event Details:

📍 Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq., S.W., Washington, D.C.)
📅 Dates: Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7, 2025
🛥️Boat Parade: 7 p.m. (June 6). 🎆 Fireworks Show: 9 p.m. (June 7)
🎟️ VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP

Event sponsors include Absolut, Capital Pride, DC Fray, Infinate Legacy, Heineken, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Relish Catering, Washingtonian, and The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePierDC.com