Photo credit: © Drunell Levinson. All rights reserved.
Accession Number: C.2007.8.44
Dimensions: 70 in X 35.5 in
Dimensions (Metric): 177.8 cm X 90.17 cm
Credit Line: Gift of Drunell Levinson and of the contributors to the September 11 Quilts Memorial Exhibition
Requiem
Description
Quilt titled Requiem created by Tomoko Hayakawa and made with fabric, batting, and thread. This quilt uses floral-patterned fabric for the borders and block accents. The center of the quilt is primarily cream colored with embroidery that suggest the outline of the Twin Towers. Accent flower/wreath patches contrast the cream with bright floral patterns.
Historical Notes
Inspired by the AIDS Memorial Quilt, New York City–based arts educator Drunell Levinson conceived a September 11 Quilts Memorial that would bring together the work of artists from around the world. Drawing upon her academic research into mourning customs and her expertise as a quilter and fabric artist, Levinson issued a call for quilts on a website she created for the project. She offered thematic guidelines and requested a uniform size but left the choice of material, style, and subject to each quilter. Within the first year after 9/11, she had received 94 quilts. Over the next two years, the quilts—many using the Twin Towers as a focal point—were displayed throughout the United States and in Japan.