Trend From Diffa: Putting the Focus on AIDS

Mark MavrigianLisa Cericola

April 2, 2009

A number of tables at Diffa's Dining by Design event this past week placed an emphasis on the nonprofit’s mission—raising money for AIDS service organizations—without sacrificing style or striking a somber tone.

Note: You can find all of our Diffa coverage here.

Graffiti in the New York Design Center's space

Graffiti in the New York Design Center's space

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

Artist Christian Avila created graffiti characters for the New York Design Center setting. A ninja symbolized AIDS as a silent killer and a frowning clown represented the seriousness of the disease.

Artist Christian Avila created graffiti characters for the New York Design Center setting. A ninja symbolized AIDS as a silent killer and a frowning clown represented the seriousness of the disease.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

Students from the Fashion Institute of Technology created a wishing tree. Each place setting had a quote relating to the AIDS epidemic and a pen guests could use to write their own messages.

Students from the Fashion Institute of Technology created a wishing tree. Each place setting had a quote relating to the AIDS epidemic and a pen guests could use to write their own messages.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

Students from Parsons, the New School for Design turned paint colors into whimsical robots, including a red one that streaked the shape of an AIDS ribbon on the wall.

Students from Parsons, the New School for Design turned paint colors into whimsical robots, including a red one that streaked the shape of an AIDS ribbon on the wall.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

The dining area created by the designers from –Ful Studio drew attention to African AIDS orphans with statistics and inspirational messages on the tabletop and walls.

The dining area created by the designers from –Ful Studio drew attention to African AIDS orphans with statistics and inspirational messages on the tabletop and walls.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

Invited guests and the public could give money directly to Diffa through donation slots in Brad Ford's tabletop.

Invited guests and the public could give money directly to Diffa through donation slots in Brad Ford's tabletop.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

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Novita Communications partnered with design studio Maiarelli Studio to create an installation that aimed to connect reading with the feeling of empathy. Instead of plates, open overturned books covering the topic of AIDS occupied the place settings, and stacks of books served as table legs.

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