November 15, 1989: NEA Chairman John Frohnmayer visits Artists Space for the first time since revoking funding for Witnesses: Against Our Vanishing, organized by Nan Goldin and including David’s work and catalog essay. David verbally confronts Frohnmayer for what he perceives as his bigotry. Frohnmayer calls the show “a bleak and disturbing exhibition” admitting “the intent is far from prurient.” That night 1500 people attend the show’s opening as a few hundred members of the Art Positive collective demonstrate against the Helms amendment out front. David does not attend.
Art Positive collective demonstrators outside “Witnesses: Against Our Vanishing”, organized by Nan Goldin, 1989. Artists Space, New York City. Photo courtesy of Thomas McGovern.