The Hollywood 360 attended PHOTO 17, the 3rd annual fundraising initiative to support the creation of Stories: The AIDS Monument in West Hollywood benefit on Thursday, October 5th at Milk Studios in Los Angeles.
The Daniel Tobin-designed Monument seeks to inform, by providing links to information on HIV/AIDS prevention and education, while raising awareness about the history and current state of the disease, AND encouraging the spark in conversation while removing the stigma of living with HIV/AIDS.
This project is one aspect of West Hollywood’s park’s multi-million-dollar renovation and completion of the AIDS Monument is slated for 2019 World AIDS Day.
More than $500,000 has been raised since 2015 from the photo events at Milk Studios toward the $5 million fundraising campaign.
Major donors to the Monument Foundation include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Visit West Hollywood, the Guess Foundation, Elton John AIDS Foundation, MAC AIDS Fund, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and CAA partners Bryan Lourd and Kevin Huvane. Actress and philanthropist Sharon returned this year as honorary chair.
The auction, which was both live and silent, featured the renowned work of esteemed photographers showcased inside the studio. The work, included among the many images, were photographs of Jessica Lange, Sylvester Stallone, Debbie Harry and Andy Warhol. Signed Herb Ritts photographs courtesy of the Herb Ritts Foundation.
Photo17 featured 80 silent lots and 20 live lots. There was bidding available occurring around the world through Paddle8 online bidding.
Prior to the auctions, there was a preview cocktail reception and a wonderful performance by American-Canadian singer/songwriter/composer Rufus Wainwright, accompanying himself on piano, singing an emotionally stirring and magnificent version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
For More Information about Stories: The Aids Monument: https://www.aidsmonument.org/
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For More Information on MILK studios: http://www.milkstudios.com/