Is it a bunch of shapes? Is it a combination of colors? No It’s a Flag!
What the Flag is a work that aims to showcase the strong bond people have with flags.
In 2018, the Achterhoek (an unofficial region in Gelderland) created a flag to represent the pride of its people and the culture present in the area. The design was chosen through a public contest, selected from 475 potential entries.
I lived in Doetinchem the capital of the Achterhoek for 24 years, and the flag is everywhere: hanging in the streets, on clothing, as stickers on cars, and much more. It became part of my everyday life.
I began to wonder: what would the flag look like if I took its existing DNA and remixed it into alternative versions, keeping its colors and shapes intact? Would the design still be recognizable or would it just become a bunch of shapes?
For those unfamiliar with the Achterhoek, it was indeed just a bunch of shapes. But for Achterhoekers, it was more than a flag they saw the Achterhoek itself. They told me how certain shapes, like the triangles, reminded them of trees, and how the connecting lines felt like their bond to the region.
One remark that stuck with me was: “It reminds me of all the towns and villages that make up the Achterhoek—it’s like a love letter.”
Flags are such strong visuals that even when they’re remixed, people who feel attached or represented still feel a deep connection.
Specifications:
Material: Polyester
Color: heat transferable ink
What the Flag is a work that aims to showcase the strong bond people have with flags.
In 2018, the Achterhoek (an unofficial region in Gelderland) created a flag to represent the pride of its people and the culture present in the area. The design was chosen through a public contest, selected from 475 potential entries.
I lived in Doetinchem the capital of the Achterhoek for 24 years, and the flag is everywhere: hanging in the streets, on clothing, as stickers on cars, and much more. It became part of my everyday life.
I began to wonder: what would the flag look like if I took its existing DNA and remixed it into alternative versions, keeping its colors and shapes intact? Would the design still be recognizable or would it just become a bunch of shapes?
For those unfamiliar with the Achterhoek, it was indeed just a bunch of shapes. But for Achterhoekers, it was more than a flag they saw the Achterhoek itself. They told me how certain shapes, like the triangles, reminded them of trees, and how the connecting lines felt like their bond to the region.
One remark that stuck with me was: “It reminds me of all the towns and villages that make up the Achterhoek—it’s like a love letter.”
Flags are such strong visuals that even when they’re remixed, people who feel attached or represented still feel a deep connection.
Specifications:
Material: Polyester
Color: heat transferable ink