In Fall, 2020, a national space for mourning emerged outside RFK stadium in Washington, DC. Beginning in late October, this four-acre site became covered by small white flags, each one in honor of an American who had died from COVID-19.
In America art installation, 28 November 2020
(Image courtesy of Mid-Atlantic Drones)
In the central space, the flags were planted in an array to echo Arlington Cemetery’s 270,000 headstones. By the end of the exhibition, the number of flags—267,080—approximated the size of this nearby landmark.
Central Array of In America
(Photo courtesy of Bruce Guthrie)
After 165,000 flags were planted in the center, the public was invited to help plant the remaining flags in sections under the trees. When we ran out of space in this massive field, we moved into adjacent green spaces for placement of flags. The installation ended on November 30th.
In America Flags Timelapse - Suzanne Firstenberg
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(Video courtesy of Ethan Gunnip)
During the installation, visitors were invited to personalize flags for loved ones lost to COVID-19. By the end of the exhibit 1,905 flags were dedicated with names, dates, and special messages. A selection of personalized flags has been acquired by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
(Photo courtesy of Bruce Guthrie)
Click here to visit www.InAmericaFlags.org to learn more about the upcoming installation of this art on the National Mall in September, 2021.
Inspire Us
Suzanne was inspired to create this community art installation in August after hearing the remark that 170,000 deaths were just a statistic. She notes, “my 25 years of hospice volunteering taught me every life is valuable, no death is just a statistic.”
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General information: info@inamericaflags.org
To volunteer or support this project: volunteers@inamericaflags.org