Tuscon, Arizona-based artist Wayne Belger, whose striking work with custom pinhole cameras warranted a story in ALARM (read the article here), just launched a Kickstarter project to help fund his Bloodworks: Africa project. Using the Untouchable camera, Belger is attempting to compile a worldwide photographic study of people living with HIV.
Of the camera itself, which uses the subject’s blood as a filter, Belger says, “[It] was inspired by one of my best friends that has the HIV virus and my quest for understanding it. I named the camera Untouchable because of the similarities of the untouchables in India and how some with the virus in the US are treated. My friend is the one who donated the blood and is in the first series of photos from the camera. A photo of him is also in the camera itself.”
Currently, Belger has residency set up in Sierra Leona, Uganda, Ethiopia, Calcutta, and five locations in Cambodia to do portraits of people living with HIV. He hopes to create a new view of the global HIV community through a coffee table book and exhibitions all over the world. However, his photo opportunity in Sierra Leona expires on May 20, so he’s turned to Kickstarter to raise the funds necessary to complete the project in time.
Head over to his project page, watch the video, and donate / spread the word.