Curators' Incubator 2018: Waving and Wavering

Curators' Incubator 2018: Waving and Wavering   |     |  

Waving and Wavering: Contemporary Artists Flags

Curators' Incubator | Alexander Jarman

On View:  May 17 - June 23, 2018

Opening Reception:  Mary 17, 2018 | 6-9pm

Many of our most visible public symbols, including flags, are currently under increased scrutiny and public reconsideration. Rather than seek to define any fixed set of meanings, the exhibition Waving and Wavering assumes that a flag will always carry various and contested meanings. Exploring multiple interpretations of flags as both concept and format, this exhibition emphasizes three main perspectives: local examples of artists creating new flags for the city of Baltimore, new models of artists examining the American flag, and international samples of artists working with flags in contemporary ways.

The art world’s investigation into the use of banners, pennants, and other similar iconography is long standing, and representations of flags persist as important symbols in modern and contemporary art. One may look to Jasper Johns' notable series of the stars and stripes as an example which initiated a dialogue over freedom of expression and the limits of representation.  In the 70 years since Johns' flag works debuted, numerous flag exhibitions - such as the People's Flag Show or Old Glory - have been mounted, the American government has debated the use of its flag in protests through proposed amendments and Supreme Court cases (Texas v. Johnson, 1989), and artits have continud to present their own versions of iconic flags, such as David Hammons' African American Flag (1990). We now find ourselves in an unprecedented time, when flags and monuments around this country are being reassessed, when the appropriate responses to the National Anthem are in debate, and when symbols for new social movements such as Black Lives Matter and Time’s Up are being created. Waving and Wavering aims to contribute to these conversations by presenting alternative views of familiar symbols, illustrating the ways in which artists are using the format of a flag to address issues of power and personal politics.

About Curators’ Incubator: Curators’ Incubator was established in 2002 as a platform for aspiring curators to grow. In this program, MAP’s gallery is made available to an emerging curator or curatorial team to develop a creative, curatorial vision as part of a mentored partnership initiative. The program provides approximately 2,200 square feet of gallery space and a generous budget to the selected curator to produce a five week exhibition at MAP.  Curators' Incubator has served 145 curators and artists since its inception in 2002.