“Acne Studios Loves Larry Stanton” lands in New York City after launching in November and passing through Milan and Tokyo, the world tour is finally touching down for its final stop – and perhaps the most meaningful – as it, the home of the late artist.

February 9th, the Acne Studios Greene Street flagship store is hosting a two-week takeover with a range of cultural events dedicated to sharing the word on Stanton’s legacy and its impact, all in collaboration with Visual AIDS, a one-of-a-kind arts organization committed to raising AIDS and HIV awareness through visual art.

The project first came about after Stanton’s work was included in a special portfolio of artists in the latest Acne Paper issue #17, Atticus, published last November. Though his activity lasted less than two decades, Stanton created an important body of work using a range of techniques: painting, drawing, photography, and video.

Larry Stanton, “Peter”, 43 x 35.5cm, Colored pencil and conté crayon on paper, 1981. © The Estate of Larry Stanton.

Stanton’s work was outside the zeitgeist until 2021 when NYC gallery Daniel Cooney Fine Art hosted a solo exhibition of his never-before-seen drawings. This was thanks to the late artist’s partner Arthur Lambert who preserved the work as well as Fabio Cherstich, who works with Lambert and the Larry Stanton Estate. A major part of this equation was Visual AIDS who include Stanton as part of their extensive archive of artists both lost and living with HIV and AIDS. “We know about so many incredible artists that are outside of the art historical canon,” says Esther McGowan, the Executive Director of the organization. “Their work is what influences our programming. Our goal is to bring these artists both those living and those who have passed away, into the public eye.” But it’s not all about the past. Visual AIDS continue to focus on activism as they run projects that address contemporary issues of HIV and AIDS and people living with HIV today.

During the two-week store takeover in New York, Acne Studios and Visual AIDS will host an art show and a range of events, with the revamped space serving as the backdrop. The exhibition itself has evolved since its inception in Milan, as this chapter focuses on uncovering Larry Stanton’s New York with a full breadth of his body of work. Screens with footage of queer life in the 1970s and 1980s will be joined by paintings and photographs, as well as a projection space showing a special commission. The exhibition will open on February 9th with an exhibition opening and an after-party in a cult New York venue where Mykki Blanco will perform. Over the following days, Visual AIDS will present talks with members of their community, including artists living with HIV and long-term survivors, as hosted by Fabio Cherstich and Visual AIDS, Esther McGowan.

Exhibition open from – Friday, February 10th until Thursday, February 23rd
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday: 11AM – 7PMSunday: 12PM – 6PM
Acne Studios, 33 Greene Street, New York, 10013

Guests from the ACNE STUDIOS LOVES LARRY STANTON AFTERPARTY