(Adrian Apollo) Slide presentation key points

 

Overall narrative/main goal of information and slides: What makes a memorial effective? What about the NAMES quilt memorial sets it aside from other memorials? A general overview of the quilt, and what effects it had on those involved in it and those who witnessed it.  

slide 1(image of ACT Up protest): AIDS had a tremendous impact on American life, the death rate from AIDS was growing with every minute, and fear of dying or fear of spreading AIDS were at an all time high. There were countless and tireless efforts to bring forth awareness, action, and federal/government assistance. 

slide 2(image of people walking among quilt): How can you heal from this tremendous amount of loss, and do so in a way that also brings dignity back to those we have lost?

slide 3(quilt square image): The quilt was able to tell the stories of those lost from AIDS. It brought a sense of humanity to the issue, and it brought awareness to those lost, showing America that action and support were greatly needed. 

slide 4("American" motif quilt square): The quilt appealed to American culture and showed the range of those affected by AIDS. It spoke of AIDS as "an American issue" instead of "a gay issue". In a way, this helped reach a straight audience.

slide 5(video clip from Surviving a Plague maybe, talking about how quilt does not mean action): What controversy came from this quilt? What inaction was the quilt speaking against? Did this quilt appeal to everyone affected? Despite the controversy, what publicity did the quilt receive? How many people came to see the quilt and what did they think?  

slide 6(video clip from Common Threads documentary of people working): Display the efforts that went into making the quilt and those included in the quilt. Were there people who did not want to be included, and were their wishes respected? Who was not included in the quilt? 

slide 7(image of other memorial): Provide examples of other memorials for queer people that were not as considerate, and bring the focus back to positive aspects of the quilt despite some controversial aspects.  

slide 8(Jac wall, John Booths, etc, specific quilt squares image): Bring attention to some specific lives lost in this tragedy. Video clips and testimonies of those affected, quilt squares, and visual media to paint the lives of those affected and the efforts of making the quilt. Demonstrate how making the quilt helped people process loss and grief.

slide 9(screenshot of quilt website): How has the quilt been preserved?, How is it accessible to us? Are more people's stories being included or is the quilt an ongoing effort?

slide 10(closing image of the full quilt): The quilt encapsulated the tremendous loss of the AIDS crisis. While direct judicial action or social change was not a major outcome of this quilt, it directed attention to the overwhelming need for it. I believe that the making of this quilt helped people cope with such great loss and considered the humanity of those affected. People's lives are commemorated and they are not lost to such a great tragedy. The militant aspects of achieving support for the AIDS crisis must also have room for moments of intimacy and grief.