In 1996, Vancouver hosted the International Aids Conference. The central visual icon of that historic event was a 29 x 32 foot hanging designed by Joe Average.
Just prior to installation, the hanging was sprayed with bromide salt fire retardant which, when dry, crystallized on the surface, obscuring the image. This was largely removed by flushing the quilt with water – work was done on blue tarps in a specially rented parking lot in Vancouver. One can only imagine the anxiety surrounding this last minute scramble to have the quilt presentable and installed on schedule. But the finished result was worth all of the work. Joe Average was visibly moved when he recalled seeing the quilt spotlighted in the darkened hall at opening ceremonies.
In 2006, Canada once again hosted the International Aids Conference, this time in Toronto. The quilt was to be a featured display at the event but, when it was removed from storage, dusty grey-white stains were found to cover much of the fabric. The quilt must be cleaned and readied for display.
Chemical tests showed that though the grey-white material contained some bromide salt, it was mainly miscellaneous dust and dirt that likely attached itself to the still damp quilt during its wash in the parking lot and its installation and de-installation at GM Place. After some experimentation it was found that the material was best removed by vacuuming, and then brushing residual stains with a semi-stiff brush and vacuuming again. A small Eureka vacuum cleaner, with a secondary “HEPA” like filter was purchased for the job, as was a special soft bristle cleaning head. Soft tooth and dusting brushes were also essential tools for this job.
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Brushing resistant accretions
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Size made it impossible to unfold the quilt entirely. Instead, it was worked on in sections, on the floor of the basement recreation room of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Vancouver. Because it was necessary to step on the quilt to reach all parts of it, shoes were removed and a large stock-pile of clean socks kept on hand
After cleaning, an underlay of unsized sheeting was made, to help with storing and handling the quilt. Buckled polypropylene straps to hold the quilt when folded and rolled were also made, as was a Tyvek and Velcro outer wrap to protect the piece when traveling and in storage. The quilt was proudly displayed in Toronto in all its newly cleaned glory.
