aids, archives, and art, assemblies in Belgium

I got involved as co director of "aids, archives, and art, assemblies in Belgium" early in 2023. This project is aimed at community building through three assemblies (in 2023, '24, and '25) as well as events with different audiences. It aims at devising processes to carry out projects on aids, archives, and arts made by and for people concerned with HIV and aids. 

As a co-director, I have not only been able to adapt this project to what it has become, but I have also been able to make some sweet artwork as part of my research. This is coming straight from my tailoring studio, with patchworking techniques, some sweet grid work, lettering, appliqués, and good 'ol drawing with a swing machine, and hand and needle techniques. 

The 'blanket' as we call it, is inspired  by the aids quilt of 1985, it measures about 2m by 2m which is about the equivalent of two panels sewn together. The blanket, and more specifically the research project, was conceived in responce to the events around the 40th anniversary of the aids epidemic outbreak in New York. In 2021, the 40th anniversay made waves in the art world where art exhibitions, and events whose central theme was HIV/aids, were happening left and right. 

Our project, and this blanket, are inspired by the work of HIVDOULA and their series AIDS IS AIDS AINT where they aim to demystify contemporary aids experiences through collecitons, discussions and live events.

"aids, archives, and art, assemblies in Belgium" has remained an intimate project only for those concerned with HIV/aids in Belgium.