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Exhibition: Forgotten Flags by Florian Thalhofer

Vergessene Fahnen (Forgotten Flags) by Florian Thalhofer: an exhibition concerning the need for pride and the fear of symbols.

March 30 - May 11, 2007

At Mediamatic, an Amsterdam cultural institute.

Using an interactive road movie and photos, the German artist Florian Thalhofer gives an account of fellow countrymen who, months after the World Cup football in 2006, are still hanging the national flag out. The exhibition is about the need for pride and the fear of symbolism. The hours of opening are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. With Weißwurst and Bavarian beer.

The film is available online.

The exhibition goes into the concept of 'homeland' and the ambivalent feelings that national symbols may arouse. The flag appeals to feelings of unity and identity. But uneasy feelings about right wing radicals are never far away. Vergessene Fahnen poses questions about the stereotypes and prejudices of the viewer, and of the maker.

Germans think that showing the national flag is sinister. World Cup football in 2006 brought about a notable swing. Germans overcame - temporarily - their fear of association with right-wing nationalism. But if flags are still fluttering six months after the World Cup, Florian Thalhofer would like to know why. He started searching for people who had kept their flags flying, together with photographer Juliane Henrich. These encounters resulted in an interactive road movie that may be read as an image of the times, not just of Germany, but also of Western Europe.

Starts03/30/2007
Ends05/11/2007
IssuesFamily & Society, Immigration, Media, Politics/Government, Economic Development, Poverty, Immigration Laws, Europe, Fair Representation, Peace/War, Jewish, Racial Discrimination
Homepagewww.mediamatic.net
Contactmichel@mediamatic.net

Posted on April 4, 2007 in Event / Call to action by Mediamatic