Jasper Johns, Fourth of July and Nine-eleven

Flag After 911 -color photograph

The 4th of July is about to roll around again, and along with it the fireworks, parades. barbecues and beach parties; but always on the fourth there are lots of flags. 911 may have changed the way we view the world, but it has not dampened the spirit of the holiday one iota. It is of course the celebration of our independence from Britain, but it is also a joyous recognition of the beauty of having long, hot summer days and a free country from which to enjoy them.

Flag Painted on Side of a Building -color photograph

When Jasper Johns painted a flag on a piece of canvas, and then exhibited it in a New York City gallery, it created quite a stir. Today, something like the above, where the image of a flag is painted on a building, the feeling expressed is always one of patriotism. The act of painting a flag is even listed as proper etiquette while wearing a flag, using a flag in an advertisement or using paper plates or napkins with flag emblems are not. There is even a picture of one of John's painted flags, at the flag website. It seems funny how things can change over time. Johns went on to paint the flag in many ways, all of which seem pretty much accepted today.

Photoshop Flags -manipulated photo

The two above images were done in photoshop using the image of an American Flag as a starting point for computer manipulation. These two images might be able to show us how our perceptions of the world around us are constantly changing. The American flag has continued to evolve as a reservoir for graphic design and image making, and will so whether we like it or not; and also even it falls outside the parameter of good flag etiquette. Hopefully, the flag will continue to a source of positive inspiration, much as it has in the pass.