“Fire in the Belly: The Life and Times of David Wojnarowicz” Book Club

"Let me make this clear before you read this review: Fire in the Belly: The Life and Times of David Wojnarowicz by Cynthia Carr is one of the most important books of 2012,"writes Nels P. Highberg in their Lambda review. Highberg was not alone in their praise. Fire in the Belly was a notable book in the New York Times, Bookforum and many other publications. Many people who knew the life and times Carr was writing about the book was a re encounter with the past, a time casual for good and bad. For many artists and activists curious about Wojnarowicz's life, or the east village scene, or the early days of the AIDS crisis in New York, it was the book they didn't even know they were waiting for. Of course publication of the book came not far off the heels of the censorship scandal that was part of the historical Hide/Seek exhibition at the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery in DC. As a new generation became aware of the power of Wojnarowicz's work, there was a book to meet their curiosity at this fascinating and vibrant figure.

Hoping to bring all these people together to discuss the book and the subjects it brings up, Visual AIDS is proud to be hosting a book club for Fire in the Belly on April 9th at 7pm at The Bureau. We will begin with a discussion of the book, circle the room for questions and thoughts, all the while engage in conversation about the book, the writing, the content and what it left us with.

This is Visual AIDS' second book club we have held at The Bureau, the first being for Fairyland: A Memoir of My Father by Alysia Abbott. Book clubs are an ongoing forum for us to bring together art, HIV/AIDS and community. We hope you can join us.

Fire in the Belly: The Life and Times of David Wojnarowicz
Visual AIDS Book Club
7pm, Wednesday April 9
The Bureau of General Services Queer Division
83a Hester Street, New York, NY

Have not read the book yet? Get started! pick up the book at The Bureau!
Did you read it a while ago and need a refresher? Watch this conversation about the book between C. Carr and Lynne Tillman.