Optic Nerve is an interactive, CD-ROM showcasing the life and work of multimedia artist David Wojnarowicz. The disc includes film, interviews, music, performance, painting and writing from the artist. Production was handled by the Red Hot Organization (RHO) and Funny Garbage, in conjunction with the New Museum of Contemporary Art exhibit entitled "Fever: The Art of David Wojnarowicz."

The disc also features an interactive version of ITSOFOMO — the series of public performances, featuring readings from Wojnarowicz's work, along with multiple video images which the artist either created or selected.

Optic Nerve was originally available from New York City's New Museum bookstore. At that time, four dollars received from the sale of each disc was donated to the Hetrick Martin Institute — an entity which had Wojnarowicz as a patron. The HMI is a leading professional provider of social support and programming for all at-risk youth, particularly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning youth in the New York metropolitan area. Optic Nerve has since become available from the Red Hot Organization.

This release is the first entry in the Red Hot Benefit Series with a non-musical focus; it was preceded by Red Hot + Rhapsody, a tribute album to George Gershwin. Optic Nerve was followed on by Red Hot + Indigo, a tribute to Duke Ellington — another historic songwriter of the 20th century.

See also

• Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series
• Red Hot + Rhapsody, preceding entry in series
• Red Hot + Indigo, follow-on entry in series

External link

• Fever: The Art of David Wojnarowicz

Spoken word | Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series | 1999 albums