"Status"

• Who is the artist of the installation titled "Status"?

  Churchill Madikida
• What is the style of Churchill Madikida's work "Status"?

  Conceptual
• What materials are used in the installation "Status"?

  Coffins, curtains, candles, crosses, ribbons, and flowers
• What personal experience influenced Madikida's installation "Status"?

  His sister lived with HIV for more than nine years and passed away in 2005
• How does the installation "Status" confront viewers regarding HIV/AIDS in South Africa?

  It presents the devastation of HIV/AIDS through haunting imagery
• What does the title "Status" signify in the context of the installation?

  It reflects how people classify character based on various social factors, including HIV status
• What does the installation suggest about the HIV virus in relation to social boundaries?

  The virus transcends boundaries such as gender, class, race, and sexuality
• How many plaster casts were part of the Status exhibition?

  18 smooth white plaster casts
• What do the plaster casts in the exhibition represent?

  They serve as powerful death masks of people with HIV/AIDS
• Who is one of the plaster casts dedicated to in the exhibition?

  Madikida's sister
• What was Madikida's intention behind creating the installation "Status"?

  To celebrate and memorialize life, emphasizing continuity rather than death
• How do the masks in the installation personalize the experience of HIV/AIDS?

  They provide a haunting personal connection to the disease often met with denial
• What elements contribute to the solemn atmosphere of the installation "Status"?

  • Three coffins (one with lights, one for a child, one for his sister)
  • Maroon-coloured velvet curtains
  • Burning candles, rose petals, and red ribbons
• What themes are explored in Churchill Madikida's installation "Status"?

  • The impact of HIV/AIDS on individuals and families
  • The social implications of HIV status
  • The memorialization of those lost to the virus