Each flag in this series is the result of multiple steps: material preparation, personal interactions and travel to specific locations. Below is our fabrication process broken down into simple steps to show what goes into the physical creation of the flags.
SPECIAL THANKS TO COLLABORATORS:
Cyndi McMahon - PR + Media Relations | Ilya Besancon - production + research assistant | Hadleigh Nunes - photography, production + research assistant | Meg Ferguson Sauder - production assistant | Cole Ferguson Sauder - production assistant | Olive Ferguson Sauder - photography + production assistant | Asher Ferguson Sauder - production assistant
Step 1 - Prepare Plywood
First we cut plywood down into 2 sizes (large sizes to accommodate the striped section of the flag and small sizes for the stars section). We then paint it white and apply vinyl stickers to protect the stripes and stars areas of the plywood.
Step 2 - Gather “Marks”
Next, we take the boards out and "gather" marks on them. These are most often collected by spraying a thin layer of fixative onto the board and leaving it someplace where people will walk or ride over the board and leave marks.
Some places/people from which we've "gathered" marks include: a U.S. border pedestrian bridge in Texas, American Indian craftspeople in New Mexico, workers at a strawberry farm in Massachusetts, fishermen working in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the U.S. East Coast and tourists visiting memorial sites in Washington D.C.
Step 3 - Remove Vinyl Stickers
We then remove the vinyl stickers to reveal the white of the wood underneath the "gathered" marks which reveals the star and stripe patterns which will make up the different sections of the flags.
Step 4 - Finish + Cut To Size
The wood sections of the flags are then finished with multiple coats of varnish and cut down to their final sizes and shapes. All sides of the wood are cut down to ensure clean edges.
Step 5 - Assemble + Frame
The different star and stripes pieces are then assembled together and hung on french cleats which are mounted to the back of custom white frames. Spacers hold the flag sections 3/4” off the back of the frame to create the appearance that the flag is floating within the frame.
