Here is a fascinating 37-minute documentary on the use -- by photographers, artists, journalists, institutions, and ordinary citizens -- of the American flag in response to war/terrorism, from British film makers David Dunnico and Cat Gregory. They compare two cases: the 1945 attack by US Marines on Japanese-held Iwo Jima out of which came Joe Rosenthal's iconic photo, and the… Continue reading The Trouble with Icons
Tag: Flag Imagery
Delacroix and Charlie Hebdo
In Liberty Leading the People, Delacroix created what is arguably the single most famous depiction of any flag, and certainly of the French tricolor. The central figure, the personification of Liberty (and of the French nation), brandishing the flag in one hand, a rifle in the other, climbs over her fallen comrades urging "the people" on to victory.… Continue reading Delacroix and Charlie Hebdo
Men Sewing Flags
A little counter-point to the last posting. Images of men sewing flags can be found, just not as easily. Here are some. (Click on the photos below for original context as found on the web.)
Women Sewing Flags
The production of flags has been, and continues to be, highly gendered. (Click on the photos below for original context as found on the web.)
White Flags
From an article by Scott Mainwaring in The Vexilloid Tabloid #48, October 2014. Color is so elemental in flag design that colors is a synonym for flag. Recently, however, all-white flags have been in the news due to two Berlin artists, Matthias Wermke and Mischa Leinkauf. In the wee hours of July 22 they evaded… Continue reading White Flags
Mayor Hales sails with the Portland flag
From the regular Portland Flag Miscellany section of Vexilloid Tabloid #49: Portland’s mayor, Charlie Hales, reports to us: “We flew the Portland flag all summer on the s/v Elizabeth, in Puget Sound and Canada’s Gulf Islands. Lots of comments and questions. This image is from our return voyage, nearing the mouth of the Strait of Juan De… Continue reading Mayor Hales sails with the Portland flag
Half the Oregon flag on a stamp
There was a ceremony in Salem today to announce a new USPS stamp featuring the Oregon state flag. (Actually, only one side of the state flag -- the obverse -- leaving what some would argue is the better side hidden.) See: Elida S. Perez, "Oregon state flag is featured in latest Forever stamp", Salem Statesman… Continue reading Half the Oregon flag on a stamp
Happy Flag Day!
PFA member Ken Dale took this striking image from the Oregon City Bridge on September 11, 2004. It seems an appropriate image for Flag Day (June 14th). According to former West Lynn major Alice Norris: The photo is from our annual 9/11 ceremony, a silent remembrance of the September 11 attacks. The City of West… Continue reading Happy Flag Day!