Posted on March 30, 2020
Posted on March 30, 2020
*COVID-19 INFORMATION AND AWARENESS: To protect your family and stop the spread, learn more about World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and best practices during this outbreak here*
Today, the fifth day of GAAW, is dedicated to ADAO’s art, advocacy and academia programs. We would also like to highlight the story of Conor and Zack, written about their grandmother Iva. Read Iva’s story, “Dirty Laundry that Kills.”
Asbestos is a known carcinogen and there is no safe level of exposure. Throughout the 19th century, this mineral was widely used in construction, shipbuilding, and the automotive industry. Without a ban, asbestos remains legal and lethal in nearly 70% of countries around the world, including the United States.
ADAO has been using art to drive our advocacy since our founding in 2004. Storytelling is at the heart of the work ADAO does, helping us to translate the experiences of victims and expertise of scholars alike into more accessible forms that help them be seen, felt, heard, and remembered. We’ve experimented with a myriad art forms to deliver our message––from film to music and everything in between. In the digital era, graphic design has become invaluable to our messaging efforts.
Over the years, we have been fortunate to partner with some phenomenal artists who use their talents to spread a worthy cause.
From the frontlines of 9/11 to the Mount Sinai Medical Center operating room — ‘asbestos fighters’ work diligently to prevent and cure deadly asbestos-caused diseases. Earl’s work has showcased the human toll this carcinogen takes on not only those who get sick, but everyone who knows the victim. His BADGES exhibit features ID badges worn by asbestos workers alongside historic photographs of work sites, product advertisements, vintage photos, and product catalogs from industrial companies, connecting the human faces to the industry.
BADGES also features real-life workers who spent their lives unknowingly mining and manufacturing products containing a lethal amount of asbestos, even though their employers knew the danger of the carcinogen. The badges capture the profit-over-people culture that threatened and eventually killed many of the faces you see in the poster. It is hard to emphasize how stunning, moving, and educational the work is, and we are incredibly grateful to Earl for continuing this project.
This year, Jordan helped champion “Record Store Day,” set for June 20, 2020. The upcoming event, in celebration of the few remaining brick and mortar record stores, is a day near and dear to Jordan, who grew up working in several record stores before eventually owning his own, “Summit Records.” The day is in partnership with comedian, actor, writer, and filmmaker Judd Apatow, who has curated his personal Warren Zevon, “Greatest Hits” collection, a vinyl-only release to commemorate the day.
The album includes thirteen of the elder Zevon’s most beloved tracks, according to Apatow. It opens with the 1976 song “Carmelita” and also features live takes of “Werewolves of London” and the “The French Inhaler.” Side A of the compilation finishes with a cover of “Something Bad Happened to a Clown,” recorded by Taylor Goldsmith from the band, “Dawes” along with high school friend and well-respected producer/writer and performer, Blake Mills.
In Jordan’s words, “When I think about Judd and my Dad, there are a number of similarities, but mostly the confidence in their work. They both took a look at the line and stepped over it with an unflinching dedication to their vision and the gamble that like-minded people would respond. They did. Like a breath of fresh air, these two artists are speaking to their audience and not speaking down to them.”
We are honored that Earl and Jordan have dedicated their time and work to us. We are also thankful to partner with IOSH, who helps spread education about prevention. Utilize our co-branded resources here.
We hope you will view Earl’s work here or purchase an album on June 20, 2020.
When we partner for prevention and get creative, we make change happen! Join the #2020GAAW Twitter conversation and follow us at @Linda_ADAO, @IOSHTweets and @_NTTL.
Special thanks to our 2020 Platinum Sponsor Simmons Hanly Conroy, LLC.
Together, we make change happen.
Linda Reinstein
Social Networks
