Wednesday, August 15, 2012

first flag from Spain

I have been posting from Spain as a member of a group of artists called 'Roots'. However, the first Flag I can show you here was not made by a member of our group at all but by Montse Romagosa, a jewelry designer gone sculptor from Barcelona (230 kms from here). The beautiful photographs were taken by Àlvar Caixal.

Montse visits the area regularly, she has a house here in Beceite, and she liked the idea of the 2012 Project from the very beginning. She is a member of another group of artists called Land Art Associació Catalunya.


So her first contribution to the Flags for Peace Project is placed on the ground, on a piece of land. This piece of sculpture is not very large or heavy and she means to hang it in a public place for 21 September. I'd love it to be near the ten flags of our Group.


The piece is titled 'Peace and Freedom' and it is made with recycled materials, mainly iron and rope. The iron grid represents Freedom.


The same figure placed in a different location. I'm not sure where (I forgot to ask!) but the surroundings look a lot like anywhere around here.


'Peace and Freedom' resting on rows of roof tiles made of clay. I think it's a 'she'. What do you think?

P.S. Mary Jane, I thought this work would appeal to you, I hope it does!

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful! Love also seeing "her" in her environment.... she seems to grow so well out of the stones in the house ruins. She seems made of the stuff one finds wandering around places like that. I want to come with a bag and search around in there to find good, rusty bits - and maybe an amazing peace flag, too!

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    1. She is indeed made of stuff you can find wandering around and, if you did come, you would collect sacs full of bits and pieces. This 'Peace and Freedom' comes from the earth, from history and from the stories those little objects carry on them and convey to the viewer.

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  2. Those are beautiful! Nothing attracts me more than repurposed junk! Love the concept, love the adobe background (feels like home). Just shows you WE could all find PEACE if we would just open our eyes.. and hearts.

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    1. Thanks (with a smile). For some reason, quite obvious probably, the idea of Peace always makes me think of this Endangered Earth we live on. Placing flags for peace in the open air somehow reflects this association. And those adorable adobe walls speak of times past when at least our planet was a lot safer than now.

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  3. Beautiful photos and the prayer flag is quite wonderful.

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    1. It's wonderful that you like them, thanks on behalf of the artists :)

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  4. Ersi - what an earthy and strong yet oh so beautiful take on a peace flag. Truly wonderful and thank you for sharing!

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    1. Sharing is a pleasure. I am so happy the Flags idea was taken up so warmly and imaginatively by the artists here. And this is only the first flag to be submitted, I am so looking forward to seeing the rest!

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  5. EM- what a strong contribution from MR - has so many layers of meaning and such a strong connection to FRPP 2012. It is so confirming to see how the ripples of peace move inwards and outwards. Go well. B

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    1. Montse has a trove of very organic, conceptual pieces of sculpture. 'Layers of meaning' is a good description. I hope she'll decide to create a blog soon. Thanks, Barry!

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  6. i love this -please extend ms. romagosa my heartfelt admiration and thanks... her interpretation is profound and layered... and yes, the metal & the fact that she is a jeweler turned sculptor is very meaningful to me... thank you so much, ersi - for appealing to those in your part of the world and bringing the project to life...

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    1. I'm sure Montse will read your comment herself but I'll certainly convey your lovely words to her. She is on a short summer holiday on the Northwestern part of Spain. I'm really pleased you appreciate her work and thank you, Mary Jane!

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  7. I so love this flag and how she was created! As I scrolled down to see the photos, each spot the flag was placed and touched seemed to bring the flag to life-a wonderful way to show how connected we are to mother earth. How beautiful she is... I agree Peace and Freedom is a 'she'!

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    1. The words 'peace' and 'freedom' are both feminine in Spanish. Surprisingly, 'war' and 'slavery' are too. There are many meaningful words referring to the human condition that are feminine, I'm not sure I'd noticed that before. It would make an interesting study, wouldn't it? Thanks for the lovely comment.

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  8. I love seeing pieces created out of cast off items....beautiful work.

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    1. It really takes an open mind to see the possibilities hidden in found objects. I love these works too.

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  9. I, too, say thanks for sharing this - a wonderful peace flag, and a wonderful example of thinking outside the box. It is very inspiring.

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  10. this is a beautiful interpretation of Peace. thank you for sharing this. and i really like that 'she' goes from one location to another ... it's like Peace making her rounds around the world :)

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