The AIDS Quilt and health activism

The proposed project will support the Science Museum with idea development for a future exhibition on health activism through research in three interrelated areas.

Firstly, knowledge will be built around the recently acquired quilt block #3 of the Dutch AIDS Quilt by gathering information about the NAMES Project Netherlands Foundation (donor of the quilt) and the 8 individuals commemorated in quilt block #3. Suitable parties will also be identified for interviews regarding the history of the quilt.

The relationship between Amsterdam and London with regards to health activism and quilting will also be investigated.

Secondly, by exploring the symbolism and materials used in the quilt block, the project seeks to understand the myriad of different purposes the quilt serves.

Given that the quilt and its functions are tied up with an array of different emotions, the project also aims to study how quilt, affect and health activism are entangled.

Relatedly, if the planned exhibition is conceived also as a form of activism, what role then might emotions play in the organisation of the exhibition?

Lastly, the project will also examine contemporary forms of health activism so as to identify potential artefacts for collection and display by the museum.