AIDS Memorial Quilt
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| AIDS Memorial Quilt | |
|---|---|
 National Institutes of Health · Public domain · source | |
| Title | AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| Artist | Cleve Jones, Mike Smith (activist), Vito Russo, Larry Kramer, ACT UP |
| Year | 1987 |
| Type | Quilt |
| Movement | AIDS activism |
AIDS Memorial Quilt. The AIDS Memorial Quilt is a massive quilt that serves as a memorial to Ryan White, Rock Hudson, Freddie Mercury, and many others who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. It was conceived by Cleve Jones, Mike Smith (activist), Vito Russo, Larry Kramer, and other members of the San Francisco LGBT community, including ACT UP and the NAMES Project Foundation. The quilt has become an important symbol of the AIDS epidemic, with panels created by Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana, Whoopi Goldberg, and other Hollywood celebrities, as well as Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, and Al Gore.
● History
The AIDS Memorial Quilt was first displayed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in 1987, with over 1,900 panels, including those dedicated to Marvin Gaye, Arthur Ashe, and Anthony Perkins. The idea for the quilt was born out of a San Francisco gay rights march, where Cleve Jones and others were inspired by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Civil Rights Movement. The quilt has since grown to include over 48,000 panels, with contributions from Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie, Queen (band), and other notable figures, including Harvey Fierstein, Larry Kramer, and Tony Kushner. The quilt has been displayed in numerous locations, including the United Nations, The White House, and the Smithsonian Institution, with support from AmfAR, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
● Design and Construction
The AIDS Memorial Quilt is composed of individual panels, each measuring 3 feet by 6 feet, and weighing around 20 pounds, with some panels featuring the work of Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The panels are made of cotton and polyester fabrics, with many featuring appliqué and embroidery work, as well as photographs of the deceased, including Robert Mapplethorpe, Peter Hujar, and Mark Morris. The quilt is divided into sections, with each section representing a different region or community, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco, with contributions from The Trevor Project, GLAAD, and the Human Rights Campaign. The quilt is constructed by a team of volunteers, including Quiltmakers, Sewers, and Patchworkers, with support from Ben & Jerry's, Levi Strauss & Co., and The Body Shop.
● Display and Tour
The AIDS Memorial Quilt has been displayed in numerous locations around the world, including the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the United Nations in New York City, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, with support from UNAIDS, The World Health Organization, and the European Union. The quilt is typically displayed in large sections, with each section featuring hundreds of panels, including those dedicated to Frida Kahlo, Diane Arbus, and Robert Rauschenberg. The quilt has also been displayed in smaller, more intimate settings, such as museums and galleries, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, with contributions from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, and the Foundation for Contemporary Arts.
● Impact and Legacy
The AIDS Memorial Quilt has had a significant impact on the AIDS epidemic, raising awareness and promoting AIDS activism around the world, with support from ACT UP, GMHC, and the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power. The quilt has also provided a sense of community and comfort to those affected by the epidemic, including people living with HIV/AIDS, caregivers, and family members, with contributions from The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, The Elton John AIDS Foundation, and the Magic Johnson Foundation. The quilt has been recognized as a powerful symbol of the epidemic, with numerous awards and honors, including the National Medal of Arts, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Nobel Peace Prize, with support from Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Joe Biden.
● Conservation and Storage
The AIDS Memorial Quilt is a fragile and sensitive artifact, requiring careful conservation and storage to preserve its integrity, with support from The National Archives, The Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution. The quilt is stored in a climate-controlled facility, with each panel carefully wrapped and protected, including those featuring the work of Jasper Johns, Robert Indiana, and Ellsworth Kelly. The quilt is also subject to regular conservation and restoration work, to ensure its continued stability and longevity, with contributions from The Getty Conservation Institute, The National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
● Notable Panels
The AIDS Memorial Quilt features numerous notable panels, including those dedicated to Ryan White, Rock Hudson, and Freddie Mercury, as well as Marvin Gaye, Arthur Ashe, and Anthony Perkins. Other notable panels include those created by Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, and Princess Diana, as well as Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, and Al Gore. The quilt also features panels dedicated to Harvey Milk, Sylvia Rivera, and Marsha P. Johnson, among others, with contributions from The Harvey Milk Foundation, The Sylvia Rivera Law Project, and the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. The quilt is a testament to the lives and memories of those affected by the AIDS epidemic, and serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle against HIV/AIDS, with support from UNAIDS, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.