Vol.55 Javier’s Party / English Version

Javier’s Party

It’s fun to go to the opening parties of the various art galleries in New York.

I went to Javier’s party. You’ve met Javier Gomez here previously.

The event benefited AIDFORAIDS International , which helps AIDS patients in

South America and the Caribbean and immigrants with the disease from those

countries who have moved here.

Jesus Aguais, the Venezuelan AIDS activist who founded the group in 1996,

and is now Executive Director, educated me about the work of the New

York branch at the party.

“The world now has more than 33 million AIDS patients and only 10% of those

are treated properly,” he explained. “Every day due to lack of knowledge, AIDS

continues to increase among young people. AIDFORAIDS conducts a variety

of programs, including the largest medication recycling program in the world,

education, prevention, training and advocacy. INVEN.TORY offered me free

space in this store for the party and Javier cooperated with his photos which

are exhibited for sale to benefit my organization,” Mr. Aguais said.
There were 20 framed photos mounted high on the walls and pillars.

People attending the event donated money, bought Javier’s stunning photos and

purchased Raffle tickets to 3 all inclusive resort stays in Cancun, Mexico.

Donations and sales will be used for activities of the organization.

Javier, who is from Panama (one of the countries where AIDFORAIDS operates),

told me the reason why he cooperated with this benefit. “My friend Jesus is the

head of this foundation, and we thought about doing this together one day.

I always like to give back to the community,” he explained.

The space was filled with supporters of the organization and Javier’s many

friends.

Kristen Ingersoll , Fashion & Entertainment Editor, Hearst Magazines International

and Shining Sung , who works in the New York art world, were among the crush

of attendees and they appeared in my blog before.

Javier’s bold photographs of landscapes, city scenes, flowers and the sea, are

cut off from reality. They express sadness and silence far beyond the objects

orscenes themselves. Yet they are not pessimistic, because there is an

underlying hope somewhere.

The branches are rough, and you may feel lonely, but the photo is full of

vitality and is very dignified.

The photograph of the empty train station could appear lonely, but instead,

it feels like someone is running toward hope.

We feel the solemnity and God’s presence in an atmospheric photograph of the

sea that captures profound quiet.

Somehow, Javier’s photos seem to cry out, “Don’t lose hope”, to lonely,

isolated people fighting AIDS all over the world. Photographs and art help

not only people suffering pain or illness, but also healthy people who are

only suffering from loneliness. I also received energy from his photos.

You can see his photos more at www.javiergomezstudio.com ,