STANBUL’74 and Utöpia showcasing the Flags for Future sustainability project at at the 16th Contemporary Istanbul, taking place at Tersane Istanbul between 7-10 October, with textile artist Rachel Hayes’ site-specific installation and limited edition flags by José Parlá, Robert Montgomery, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, André Saraiva, Blair Chivers, Mathias Kiss, Fabio Paleari, Giasco Bertoli, Aaron Young and many more.
“Flags for Future”, presented by ISTANBUL’74 and Utöpia is a project that reimagines our shared values and paves the way for creating awareness to form new connections within ourselves. Taking inspiration from the unifying power of art, it takes the flag as a medium that welcomes the artistic expression for future hopes and thoughts to be set free to float in the skies.
ISTANBUL’74 collaborates with Utöpia presenting “Flags for Future” a set of artist flags produced in limited edition and made from upcycled plastic waste from the oceans. While being a sustainability project, a part of proceeds from “Flags for Future” will go to the efforts to clean seas and all seashores.
As a deconstruction of the concept of the flag, “Flags for Future” quests for a new conception of this new medium, deeming it a canvas for unity and collective thought as well as free artistic expression.
The project includes flag designs by leading artists such as prize-winning architect Sir David Adjaye, Scottish poet and sculptor Robert Montgomery, Cuban-American artist José Parlá, French fashion designer and artist Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, creator of the famous Mr. A persona André Saraiva, conceptual artist Blair Chivers aka Evalesco Eleven, multidisciplinary artist Mathias Kiss, multimedia and digital artist Krista Kim, award-winning director Alphan Eşeli, photographers Giasco Bertoli, Fabio Paleari, and American contemporary artist Aaron Young and many more.
A site-specific installation by world-renowned textile artist Rachel Hayes will feature her signature colorful and whimsical textile works on site. Hayes’ forms and geometric patterns invite viewers to engage with the work, while blending with the existing architecture and surrounding environment.
Gaining international recognition with her collaboration with renowned fashion house Missoni in 2018, Rachel Hayes is interested in inserting color and form into both built and natural environments. The artworks utilize Hayes’ signature color and forms executed in various fabrics including organza, polyester, and cotton while exploring textiles inspired by the location.
