Photo exhibit of Christoph Burtscher

Organization Q organized a photo exhibition named ‘'It could be a fever. Because of me, because of you, because of love... A photographic approach towards life with HIV'', by Christoph Burtscher, photographer from Berlin, Germany.

The exhibit was open from May 25-30, 2005, in the ''MAK'' Gallery, Museum of Literature and Theatre Art of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo .

The basic goal of this exhibition was to show the reality of the persons who are infected with HIV/AIDS, and to point out their stigmatization in the society. Stigmatization is especially visible when it concerns the members of “high risk“ groups, sexual and gender minorities, and drug users, making them victims of double or multiple discrimination based on their identity and on the fact that the disease, which is seen as just punishment, infects them.

The exhibit in Sarajevo included 34 photographs which are reflection of author's personal experience of facing the HIV virus and a life with it. With his photographs, the author wanted to raise awareness about vulnerability and mortality of all of us, and to show AIDS as a disease, and not a condition which can not be changed.

At the opening of the exhibition a public discussion was organized in which representatives of the Organization Q, Association APOHA (support for persons infected by HIV/AIDS), and the author himself participated. Especially valuable was the testimony of APOHA member, who is also infected by HIV virus. He shared his experience in living and facing discrimination in his surrounding.

The whole event was announced and promoted through distribution of the printed materials (posters and postcards) at the public places; and through media (Morning Program of TV Sarajevo, Morning Program of TV Hayat; Radio M; EFM Student Radio) and printed media (BH Dani, Dnevni avaz, Nezavisne novine).

The opening of the exhibit was accompanied by 100 persons.

Organization Q is grateful to the Heart and Hand Fund and the Goethe Institute, Sarajevo, for the financial support of total 3368,50 KM (2195 KM from the Heart and Hund Fund was used for the purposes of space, design and printing of promotional materials and 1173,50 KM from the Goethe Institute was used for the purposes of author's travel costs and accommodation while in Sarajevo). Organization Q would also like to thank all those who have dedicated their time, energy and good will in ensuring the success of this important exhibition.