Coronavirus Crisis Update: Artist Suzanne Firstenberg – a Sea of 267,080 White Flags

Steve and Andrew had the good fortune to catch Suzanne Firstenberg shortly after the recent conclusion of her stunning public art installation, ‘In America…. How could this happen?,’ a dramatic tribute to those lost to Covid-19. This “awakening,” comprised of 267, 080 white flags, stood on the parade grounds of the Washington DC National Guard Armory between October 23 and November 30. What motivated her to act so boldly, and how was it possible to succeed so rapidly, moving in just a few weeks from concept to creation? What were the key messages she was conveying, and what was the human experience of those who participated in it? As she explains, she could not do this alone. Several key partners joined with her, most notably Ruppert Landscaping and Jose Andres and World Central Kitchen. Others from the Smithsonian and National Geographic acted to preserve and capture this achievement. 

Suzanne Firstenberg is a social action artist based in Bethesda, Maryland. Her installation was covered by National Geographic, among other outlets, and you can find a Nat Geo video of the installation here.