Flag 06

CANTON (Stars)

Lake Wentworth - Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Marks made from fireworks being set off in celebration of America’s independence on the 4th of July by kids in the backyard of a lake house.

FIELD (Stripes)

Palace of the Governors - Santa Fe, New Mexico

Footprints from Native American vendors selling their hand-made jewelry as part of the Native American Vendors Program which ensures that all artisans are members of New Mexico tribes and pueblos.

CANTON DETAIL

CANTON STORY

This section was created by burn marks from fireworks being set off to celebrate the fourth of July and America’s independence by my kids. My in-laws live in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire which is a super patriotic town – there are flags everywhere there in July. There were a couple families staying up at the house for the week and we debated for some time whether or not we should drive into town for the big fireworks display. Some people decided to drive in to town and we decided to do our own at the house. In the back yard, which looks out over Lake Wentworth, my kids used the plywood as a platform for setting off some small fireworks that my son had brought with us. It was really fun. Everyone at the house sat out on the deck and cheered after each one was set off. I love the different colors that show up from the chemicals in the fireworks.

FIELD DETAIL

FIELD STORY

This section was created at the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the oldest continually occupied public building in the United States. Native American Indians who are part of the Native American Vendors Program sell jewelry and other handmade items there along one side of the building on the sidewalk. Most of the vendors are selling things that they have created themselves.

I went there looking for jewelry that was made locally. I was there for a long time – I wanted to see everything before making any decision because the jewelry was kind of expensive and I was only going to be able to afford one or two pieces. After making my way looking through all the vendors I decided to wait until the next day to make my purchase. When I went back I asked one of the vendors on the opposite side of the street if they thought it would be OK to ask for footprints. They said “yes” and left a print on the plywood that I had with me.

I then walked over to the Palace of the Governors and asked a vendor if they would be interested In being a part of the project. They said “No” and the next 5 or so people that I asked declined as well. I was wondering if I should just leave but decided to ask one more person. They said that they would step on the plywood and asked others to do the same. As soon as a couple people stood up a stepped on the plywood everyone else seemed to want to know what I was doing.

After I explained what the project was and that I was exploring American identity one of the vendors said, “If this is about American identity then we HAVE to be part of it!” Right after that one of the vendors ran over and jumped on the plywood. Everyone was really excited about the project and before I left about 10 different people came up to me and handed me their cards - they wanted me to send them images of the finished piece of artwork so they could see how they were represented.