What Is This?

On Guide: n9 Sculpture: Obelisque bleu avec des fleurs Location: Museum Building Niki was acutely aware of contemporary events and social crises. In the 1980s, several of her closest friends, including a studio assistant, became ill and died of AIDS. In response, Niki produced an art book about AIDS education and prevention, called You Cant Catch It Holding Hands, and also Obelisque bleu avec des fleurs. Obelisque bleu avec des fleurs is commonly viewed as a simple decorated vertical column covered with flowers. That is the simplest description and generally the preferred explanation for children. Its true inspiration, however, is a monumental version of a decorated condom that Niki wanted to produce as part of an AIDS awareness campaign. True to herself, Niki used whimsy to address and create interest in a serious social issue.

You can listen to What Is This? online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

What Is This? is an episode from Missouri Botanical Garden - Niki 2008 by Missouri Botanical Garden.

This episode is 0:51 long.

This episode was published on Apr 29, 2008.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Missouri Botanical Garden - Niki 2008 when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.