Packing the Quilt for Te Papa

This summary reflects on a podcast recording held at St Matthew-in-the-City in Auckland entitled "Packing the Quilt for Te Papa - NZ AIDS Memorial Quilt," featuring interviews with Stephanie Gibson and Sara Guthrie. The podcast details the careful packing process of the last two blocks of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt for transfer to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa) following a gifting ceremony. The recording captures a unique glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work of museum professionals preserving historic textiles.

During the 12-minute interview, Sara Guthrie describes the process of preparing and transporting the quilts for their journey. Specially purchased suitcases, which are both firm and have some flexibility, were used to ensure the pieces would not be damaged in the cargo hold of the plane. The meticulous handling of the quilts is emphasized by noting that they are wrapped in a breathable yet water-repellant material, similar to what is used at crime scenes by pathologists, and are packed with acid-free tissue to ensure longevity. Importantly, the temperature and humidity are carefully controlled to preserve the quilts' integrity.

Upon arrival at Te Papa, the quilts undergo a strict quarantine process to check for potential contaminants that could harm the collection. The team discusses future storage solutions, which involve close collaboration with conservators to accommodate the various materials and elements within each quilt block, including plastics and ribbons which may require special handling.

The podcast touches on the significance of the quilts as living collections that allow access to families, friends, partners, researchers, and anyone with genuine interest, subject to appropriate arrangements. Though access is facilitated, the pieces are handled with great care, typically with gloved hands to protect the textiles from oils and degradation. The quilts will likely remain stored at Te Papa, though they may be lent out for display at other institutions, provided the environment meets strict security and conservation requirements. The main objective is to ensure these pieces are preserved for posterity, despite certain materials, like latex and plastic, inevitably degrading over time.

The emotional weight of the quilts and the connection to the individuals they commemorate is acknowledged. The preservation specialists reflect on their roles, noting that while they must consider the quilts as objects, they also recognize their profound cultural and historical significance.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Sara Guthrie Stephanie Gibson

2010s, aotearoa new zealand, auckland, hiv / aids, michael bancroft, museum of new zealand te papa tongarewa, new zealand aids memorial quilt, sara guthrie, st matthew-in-the-city, stephanie gibson, wellington

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