‘The immensity of our loss’: 650,000 white flags show American lives lost to Covid

09/19/2021 Rachel Kennedy Coronavirus 0
Artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg and her team started out with 666,624 flags, but more will be added as the death toll rises. They are already up to 670,000 flags as of the first day. The art piece will stay on the grounds until October 3

A sea of more than 650,000 white flags is lining the National Mall near the Washington monument in the nation’s capitol to represent the American lives lost so far to Covid-19.

The outdoor art installation titled, In America: Remember, by social practice artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg, is scheduled to stand for 17 days from Friday in the shadow of the White House.

Aerial View of In America, Remember, DC Mall

“When the numbers get so large, it becomes difficult to really understand them. So, I, as a visual artist, wanted to make the number physical,” the 62-year old artist told ABC News. “I wanted to physically manifest it.”

The white flags will serve as a canvas for family and friends to feature messages remembering the lives of their loved ones.

Source: The Guardian