Berlin
Germany
Museum of European Cultures, Dahlem Dutch AIDS Memorial Quilt - block 22 since 12 October 2014
8 names
A master class at the Reinwardt Academy in Amsterdam in 2013 was the beginning. Léontine Meijer-van Mensch, then docent Museology and Ethics investigated with an International master class future scenarios for the role of the Dutch AIDS Memorial Quilt and especially the value for the Amsterdam Museum to acquire two blocks for their own collection. When Léontine  became deputy director of the Museum of European Cultures in Berlin, she asked to acquire one block - the most 'European' one. On 12 October 2014, block 22 of the Dutch Quilt was officially donated to the museum in Berlin.
At one of their 'Textile Days', a workshop on quilts on 15 February 2015 associated to the exhibition 'Textile Diversity', one of the caretakers of the Dutch Quilt made her motivations tangible for a larger audience of quilters, among others the Patchwork-Treff Berlin-Brandenburg e.V..
From January to June 2015, the Dutch quilt block was presented in the foyer of the museum. In August 2015, the wodden frame with the quilt block was placed in storage in a way so that visitors can see it upon prior request. A simple light shade protects the sensitive textile from too much light.
The Museum of European Cultures welcomes quilt blocks from other European countries in their collection as well.
Photo © Museum Europäischer Kulturen - Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Ute Franz-Scarciglia

Museum Europäischer Kulturen