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HIV and AIDS history

AIDS Memorial Quilts (UK and USA)

The section looks at the AIDS Memorial Quilt in the UK and the AIDS Memorial Quil in the USA also called the Names Project.

AIDS Memorial Quilt | UK
The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt tells the stories of many of those lost in the early days of the HIV AIDS epidemic in the 80’s and 90’s. Representing approximately 384 people from all around the UK, there are 48 twelve-foot by twelve-foot panels, each comprising up to 8 smaller panels. Each panel is approximately 4m sq. Each individual panel commemorates someone who died of AIDS and has been lovingly made by their friends, lovers or family.

Lives remembered include those of the writer, Bruce Chatwin; the artist/filmmaker Derek Jarman; the actors, Ian Charleson and Denham Elliot; gay rights activist, Mark Ashton and the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.

Several charities have created the AIDS Memorial Quilt Conservation Partnership, to raise awareness of the quilt, its importance in our history and to restore and conserve the quilt for generations to come: George House Trust, Terrence Higgins Trust, The Food Chain, Sahir House, Positively UK and Positively East.

The Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt | USA
Weighing an estimated 54 (US) tons (48,988 kilograms), the (NAMES Project) AIDS Memorial Quilt is an enormous quilt made as a memorial to celebrate the lives of people who have died of HIV and AIDS, and related illnesses.

As of June 2016, the Quilt is composed of more than 49,000 panels on 5,956 blocks (blocks are the twelve-foot square building blocks of The Quilt seen at displays). Most blocks are composed of 8 separate panels, remembering the lives of eight individuals lost to AIDS.

The history of the quilt National AIDS Memorial Quilt | National AIDS Memorial (USA)
AIDS Memorial Quilt Online | National AIDS Memorial
Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt | Wikipedia

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