Launching this weekend, The Flag Project raises 193 works of art above the Rink at Rockefeller Center. Hopeful, provocative, spirited—the works are overflowing with love for New York City, while expressing a range of new visions for the future.

At the core of the display, 13 artists communicate in visual forms that span abstraction, text, and contemporary plays on flag iconography, as well as painterly images that speak to the pressing needs of our time, including healing, equality, and protection of the earth. The contributors are Faith Ringgold, Carmen Herrera, Marina Abramović, Sanford Biggers, Jenny Holzer, Christian Siriano, Shantell Martin, Laurie Anderson, Sarah Sze, Hank Willis Thomas, Stephen Powers, KAWS and Jeff Koons.

Expanding on the collective nature of the project, the installation encompasses nearly 180 flag designs that were selected from pieces submitted by the public. While the majority of participants live in NYC, New Jersey also represents in a big way, and a number of the flags hail from points further afield, including Toronto, Houston and Buenos Aires.

The Flag Project runs August 1–16 at Rockefeller Center, and is free and open to the public. Stay tuned to the blog and Instagram for more images of the flags!

Updated: May 19, 2020

The iconic flags that fly over the Rink at Rockefeller Center have represented the nations of the world, marked holidays and commemorations, and even transformed into a work of art for last year's Frieze Sculpture exhibition.

But for the first time ever, Rock Center is inviting the public to contribute their own flag designs to celebrate NYC. For The Flag Project, the 193 flagpoles around the Rink will each hold a unique flag, some created by famous artists, while most will be designed by participants who submit their artwork online or by mail.

The prompt is: Show your love for NYC. Based on that theme, be as creative as you want—feel free to collaborate!—and use the site's templates and guidelines to complete a hand-drawn or digital design. (If using text, use only a small amount.) The selected entries will be turned into 8'x5' fabric flags to be raised above the Rink this summer.

Artists participating include: Carmen Herrera, Faith Ringgold, Marina Abramovic, Hank Willis Thomas, Jenny Holzer, KAWS, Jeff Koons, Sarah Sze, Shantell Martin, Steve Powers and Laurie Anderson.

The Rockefeller Center site is accepting submissions through June 30, 2020. Sign up to The Rock List for updates... and good luck on The Flag Project!