December 1, 2011 All around the world, in honor of World AIDS
Day, famous buildings and landmarks are being turned red—the
official color of AIDS awareness—to promote the cause. The list
of red structures includes the London Eye, the Empire State
Building and the Sydney Opera House. And this year, for the very
first time, a Washington, D.C. landmark will be illuminated red:
Smithsonian’s own Hirshhorn Museum. “RED approached us
originally, because they were looking for iconic buildings in
different cities, and the Hirshhorn is very distinctive,” says
the museum’s spokesperson Jenny Leehey. The 60,000 square foot
circular structure was designed by noted architect Gordon
Bunshaft and opened to the public in 1974. ”Anytime that we can
emphasize the architecture of our building, because it’s so
unique, we like to do that,” says Beth Skirkanich, Production
Coordinator at the museum. “Especially for a good cause.” World
AIDS Day is an annual event, first observed in 1987, designed to
raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and