The AIDS Quilt

The AIDS Memorial Quilt is an enormous quilt made as a memorial to and celebration of the lives of people who have died of AIDS.

The Quilt is maintained and displayed by The NAMES Project Foundation and was started in 1987 in San Francisco by Cleve Jones and a group of volunteers. The Quilt was last displayed in full on The Mall in Washington D.C. in 1996.

A very personalized individual quilt panel is created by the loved ones of someone who has died of AIDS or HIV related causes. Each 3' by 6' panel is the size of a human grave and the panels are donated to The NAMES Project Foundation where they are grouped with other similar panels and assembled into 12' by 12' sections, called "blocks". These blocks are what are seen at local displays of The Quilt, and typically contain 8 individual panels.

The creation of a panel is very emotional as memorable photos, favorite sayings, or favorite pieces of clothing of the deceased are lovingly attached to the panel. The display of The Quilt is a somber experience as people view the panels, make a connection with each person, and realize the tragic loss of life.

In June 2004 the newest blocks were displayed by the Fondation on the Ellipse in Washington D.C. in the largest display of The Quilt since the last display of the entire Quilt; these 1,000 blocks consisted of every panel submitted at or after that October 1996 display.

Techniques used included patchwork, applique, embroidery, fabric painting , collage, spray paint and needlepoint

Items and materials included in the panels:

• Fabrics, e.g. lace, suede, leather, mink, taffeta , also bubble-wrap and other kinds of plastic.
• Decorative items like pearls, quartz crystals , rhinestones, sequins, feathers, buttons.
• Clothing, e.g. jeans, T-shirts, gloves, boots, hats, uniforms.
• Items of a personal nature, such as human hair, cremation ashes, wedding rings, Merit Badges, car keys.
• Unusual items, e.g. stuffed animals, records, jockstraps, condoms.

The NAMES Project Foundation is now headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia but has 21 chapters in the United States and more than 40 affiliate organisations world-wide. The AIDS Memorial Quilt itself continues to grow, and on Easter Sunday 2005 consisted of 5,712 blocks.

External link

• The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt: Images of the quilt