Before publicly funded campaigns became widespread, AIDS was brought to the forefront of public debate and concern not only through prominent public figures speaking out, but also through widespread gay activism that sought to promote prevention and at the same time prevent the stigmatisation of the gay community. News of the pandemic first came from the United States before spreading throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Commemorating the victims was the focal point and the AIDS Memorial Project is a significant example of the actions aimed at achieving this goal. American gay activists promoted the idea of making quilts to commemorate their loved ones who had passed away. Created as a memorial, these quilt blocks were also used as a powerful visual tool to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic. Quilt blocks are usually 3.80 by 3.80 metres in size, each of them consisting of eight panels measuring 90 by 180 centimetres — initially corresponding to the 3 by 6 foot rigid panels imagined by the founders, symbolising the size of a human grave. This block is smaller and is made out of six panels. They were designed and produced by partners, friends and families to commemorate Hendrik-Jan Smid (†1990), Joep Zeebregts (†2003), Piet Verschuren (†1993), Steffie Weiland (†2011), Vera Springveer (†2008) and René Cornelisse (†1996). It is a touching expression of shared mourning through collaborative sewing, pasting, drawing and writing, while sensitively combining words and images linked to the lost loved ones by their relatives and friends. Today, these quilt blocks are either kept by the NAME foundations or are being integrated into museum collections.

Inscription: Hoi Kanjer Je gleed uit mijn leven Als 1 vlinder uit mijn handen Maar deze 2 harten komen Samen voor altijd !!! 07-06-1946 Piet Verschuren †21-01-1993 Hi, Buddy You slipped out of my life like a butterfly out of my hands. but those two hearts are together for ever!!! 07-06-1946 Piet Verschuren †21-01-1993

Inscription: Stefan

Inscription: Joep Joep Zeebregts 45 jaar Vriendinnen heb je wel Joep De stukjes van het leven die jou Joep maakten Maken ook een beetje mij Omdat jij een stukje Van mijn leven bent... Altijd Je zusje Joep Joep Zeebregts 45 years old You well have girlfriends Joep, The small pieces of the life that made you Joep, make myself a little bit as well because you are a piece of my life, forever. Your sister

Inscription: Vera Springveer

Inscription: Hendrik Jan Smid 1960-1990

Inscription: René Cornelisse 19/10/1959 - 24/10/1996 Als niemand meer aan je denkt, dan pas sterf je echt René Cornelisse 19/10/1959 - 24/10/1996 If nobody thinks of you anymore, only then you really die