STONES & WATER WEIGHT

STONES & WATER WEIGHT responds to the need for new interpretations of HIV+ people. It portrays Mykki Blanco engaging in tasks that test physical limits and challenge normative health boundaries. This video serves as an exploration of how society perceives the fragility and resilience of those living with HIV.

In an era dominated by globalized fitness culture and social media, the importance placed on "looking healthy" is critiqued. The performance emphasizes endurance, re-framing HIV+ individuals as resilient rather than fragile. The work references myths like Atlas and Sisyphus, highlighting themes of struggle and strength within the context of the ongoing AIDS epidemic. Commissioned by Visual AIDS as part of a program prioritizing Black narratives, it contributes to a critical dialogue surrounding health and identity.