Flags

After Image Experiment 1 (American Flag)

2010, painted flat and molded paper, 80″ x 30″

In a visual trick often reproduced in basic science texts, observers who stare at a green, black and yellow “American flag” will see a red, white and blue after image when they quickly change their gaze to a blank white space. Here, the green, black and yellow flag is shown flying and instead of a flat blank white space for the second part of the experiment, the viewer looks to a white three-dimensional molded shape of a flying flag. Thus, the after image – a purely two-dimensional phenomenon – is forced to contort to accommodate the three-dimensional form.

 

Ghost Flag
2008, found papers, 11″ x 14″

The America flag rendered in transparent paper, a nod to Mosaic Flag and Mapplethorpe’s famous black and white photograph of a gauzy American flag suffused with sunlight.

 

Metallic Flags

2007, six American flags made of metallic adhesive vinyl, grommets, each 5′ x 3′

In contrast to Mosaic Flag (see below), this flag not only blocks any light from passing through, but also reflects light.  The six flags were installed at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge as part of Dumbo Art Center’s Down Under the Bridge Festival, offering a shiny ruby, silver and sapphire alternative to red, white and blue cloth.

 

Mosaic Flag

1996, painted corrugated plastic, plastic security ties, 6′ x 4′

Inspired by Robert Mapplethorpe’s 1977 black and white photograph of an American flag made transparent by a setting sun, this flag purposely exploits transparency by piecing together translucent abstract shapes to render an American flag reminiscent of a flexible stained glass window. Installed at Socrates Sculpture Park’s winter 1996 show.

 

Flying Flag Flying

1995, painted cloth, grommets, 5′ x 3′

An exploration of the space between the dimensions, this installation began with a classic image of the American flag flying in the breeze painted on both sides of a rectangular cloth.  Grommets were added to allow the image to be flown from a flagpole as a flag.  Once hoisted on an actual flagpole and flying in the breeze, it became nearly impossible to discern painted ripples from actual ripples or, indeed, painted ripples actually rippling.. After being installed at Socrates Sculpture Park for its 1995 summer show, the flag was soonafter stolen, a rare instance of artwork ever stolen from the park.

 

Black and White Flag (future flag)

1987, adhesive plastic on plexiglass, 36″ x 19.25″

A pointedly grim rumination.