Lilac Time at the Rodeo 2: Stories of Marie Debris, David Wojnarowicz, Martin Wong (Publication Date February 14, 2024!).
The subjects of the Lilac Time series of books are Queer fashion and art practitioners we lost to AIDS. In Lilac Time at the Rodeo 2 we visit with: Marie Debris, David Wojnarowicz, Martin Wong, and Peter Hujar. These people because of the stigma attached to their illness, were never properly eulogized. Bright, brilliant, and visionary all, the loss of them to AIDS was devastating. In some cases, the memory of their oeuvres is fading, in others prurient focus on the narratives of their lives overshadows their work, in others they are now forgotten or excised from art & design history entirely. This is not only an injustice to their legacies it leaves a disrupted chronology of Queer history. It also leaves some really wild and wonderful stories, as yet, untold. This (illustrated) book not only shines a light on their premature AIDS related mortalities, but it also includes personal reflections from the author, and adds to the record of the vibrant and beautiful work that they produced, and how they lived.
Available on Amazon:
Lilac Time at the Rodeo, Stories of Identity AIDS & Fashion (Book 1)
My book launch for Lilac Time at the Rodeo, Stories of Identity AIDS & Fashion: happened at 6pm, Sunday December 10, at Glad Day Bookshop in Toronto, Canada.
Booklaunch events and fun reunions in Toronto and New York are happening!
The subjects of the Lilac Time series of books are Gay male fashion and art practitioners we lost to AIDS: Steven Varble/Marie Debris; David Wojnarowicz & Martin Wong; and Patrick Kelly & Antonio Lopez (among others). These men, because of the stigma attached to their illness, were never properly eulogized. In Lilac Time at the Rodeo we visit with: Chester Weinberg, Halston, and Way Bandy . Bright, brilliant, and visionary all, the loss of these men to AIDS was devastating. In some cases, the memory of their oeuvres is fading, in others prurient focus on the narratives of their lives overshadows their work, in others they are now forgotten or excised from fashion history entirely. This is not only an injustice to their legacies, it leaves a disrupted chronology of Queer history. It also leaves some really wild and wonderful stories, as yet, untold. This (illustrated) book not only shines a light on their premature AIDS-related mortalities, but it also includes personal reflections from the author, and adds to the record of the vibrant and beautiful work that these men produced, and how they lived.
Readings from the Lilac Time Book Series:
Book Launch for Lilac Time at the Rodeo, Stories of Identity AIDS & Fashion (Book 1), Dec 2023
Reading from: Lilac Time at the Rodeo, Stories of Identity AIDS & Fashion
Halston
Chester Weinberg, Gown
markoconnellstudio 