Microsoft Research Connections partnered with the University of Southern California Annenberg Innovation Lab, Brown University, University of Iowa, National Endowment for the Humanities, NAMES Project Foundation, and others to create several interactive digital exhibits that allow the public to explore the largest work of community-created folk art in the world.

Apps include:
- A Digital Patchwork Masterpiece where you can view the entire quilt, block by block. Warning: It will take over a month to view the 6000 blocks comprised of 8 panels each!

- A 30 Year History of AIDS via ChronoZoom
An amazing ChronoZoom interactive timeline that chronicles the history of AIDS and includes Deep Zoom panoramas of the quilt at various stages in its creation.

If you want to learn more about what Microsoft Research is doing to find a cure for HIV, you can visit Next@Microsoft blog which describs how MSR researcher David Heckerman is using spam filtering technology to help find a vaccine for HIV.

For more information about the exhibits, click here.

The Power of Partnerships to Transform the HIV/AIDS Epidemic
The AIDS Quilt’s Power to Bring People Together 

On World AIDS Day 2011, President Barack Obama called attention to the vital role partnerships play in winning the fight against HIV/AIDS—partnerships between the government and the private sector have the power to change the course of the HIV epidemic and ensure that people living with HIV and AIDS get access to life-saving treatments.¹ In other words, partnerships have the power to transform the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Read more.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an international exposition of living cultural heritage annually produced by the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Sections of The AIDS Memorial Quilt were on display as part of this year’s Folklife Festival June 27 ­ – July 1; July 4 – 8, 2012.

The Festival took place on The National Mall in the heart of the nation’s capital and was was free to the public.  The Festival reaches millions through media coverage worldwide. More information.

Photo Gallery

Day 1            Day 2

Day 3            Day 4

Day 5            Day 6

In Remembrance of a true HOLLYWOOD star.’”  

                             – Hollywood Designer Warren Caton

“I was born in the United States, New York City to be exact, but I have always been told that I am ‘Cubanasa’ more Cuban than the royal palms that grown on the beautiful island where my parents were born. When The AIDS Memorial Quilt approached me to do a panel, I decided to do a panel for all those people in Cuba that didn’t have a voice that have been forgotten and continue to be forgotten. With this panel, I am their voice!”

–Florangel Morales

“We did lots of fun things together – mostly just eating, talking, hanging out and dog walks. We drank ‘sock’ coffee and ate corn beef has in the East Village regularly. I met my husband Dan in Clay’s apartment and have since bought two Dalmatian from his wonderful litter of pedigrees known as Clayborne Dalmatians. I continually have Clay’s life to thank for so many things.”

–Valerie Bishop