In America Flags

03/11/2025

Five Years On – March 11, 2020, COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic. In 2021, we placed white flags on the National Mall for every life lost to the virus in America. Every day, we planted more flags to keep up with the ever-rising death toll, reaching 701,000 by the end of the exhibit. The flags covered more than 20 acres in the largest public, participatory art exhibition on the National Mall since 1987.

Families gathered in the space to grieve, remember, and memorialize their loved ones lost to COVID-19. We saw tears, strangers consoling each other, and beautiful moments of community.

This art created a moment of pause and reflection for our nation. Five years on, we remember the lives lost to the virus. Five years on, we are reminded that remembering tragedy is the start of preventing future iterations.

If you were one of the many families that dedicated a flag to their loved one during “In America,” your flag lives on at: https://www.inamericaflags.org/

10/14/2022

When Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg created In America Flags, over 700,000 small flags were planted at The National Mall, each representing a life lost to COVID. If we had done the same installation this year, a million flags would cover the ground like this.
The mourning of lives lost through this pandemic is so vast. Art can best reflect how deep this pain is felt throughout the world, and even then, only scratch the surface of our collective pain.

(Courtesy http://AirPhotosLIVE.com)

09/24/2022

The origin story of the white flags.

Special recyclable film was manufactured to catch the light. At first, I wanted biodegradable film, but inevitably, I wanted the dedicated flags to live on.

Blackburn Manufacturing Company was an incredible partner by manufacturing over 700k flags in just a few days. Three different states housed the material/flags before they arrived at the National Mall at dawn.

-Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg

Next: Planting the flags.

09/18/2022

Taking you behind the scenes… It has been one year since an amazing team of folks helped me blanket the with white flags to honor those who had died of COVID. To remember all those lost, to honor those remaining, and to recognize my team, over the next few days I will take you behind the scenes.

Today: How we conceptualized the layout. After receiving the green light from the National Park Service, I walked the site in March of 2021. Next, I gave a rough sketch to landscape designer, Laurie Shoemaker, of Ruppert Landscape. She spent days (and one all-nighter) creating a layout that would accommodate all the flags. (I estimated a max of 630,000 flags. I was so wrong.) After the flag design was set, we sited signage, benches, and reception stations.

Next: How to get all those flags planted in three days…

09/17/2022

A year ago today we transformed the into a national place of mourning. The Trust and the Park Service provided us a beautiful, reverent space in which to honor each person who had died of COVID. That sea of white flags fluttered for just 17 days, but will remain a vivid image, one that honors the continuing losses. Thank you, thank you to the 1,000 volunteers and the supporters who helped bring this art to our nation! We will remember.

- Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg

09/08/2022

Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg's latest art installation.

"Protect Them," a mobile shipping container art installation, has arrived at Rockville Town Square. It will open to the public tonight, Sept...

09/06/2022

The Empty Fix Project has arrived in Rockville, MD. The artwork, “Protect Them” is about preventing addiction. Open to the public Thursday evening.

The installation will be open
4-9 pm Thurs, Sept. 8
2-5 pm Fri and Sat Sept. 9, 10, 16, 17
5-8 pm Thurs Sept. 22

Rockville Town Center Park
131 Gibbs Street
Rockville, MD 20850

09/06/2022

In America Flags artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg:
"The pandemic catapulted us into a world of psychological pain. One consequence of this collective trauma is addiction. My art series on addiction begins this week, art about educating, healing, and protecting ourselves, loved ones, and today's youth."

The pandemic catapulted us into a world of psychological pain. One consequence of this collective trauma is addiction. My art series on addiction begins this week, art about educating, healing, and protecting ourselves, loved ones, and today's youth.

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09/01/2022

We are still cleaning and archiving white flags with the utmost care. If you want to volunteer, to help, the available times are Th/Sat/Sun 1-5 pm in Bethesda, MD. CONTACT: aliciamurphydc@gmail.com for details. 🇺🇸

08/16/2022

Each flag in the installation memorializes a loved one lost to COVID. They are to be preserved as we continue our journey as a country in grief. Message us here to volunteer in Bethesda, MD in the ongoing effort to document and archive each flag.

08/06/2022

On Saturday, August 6th we are marching to remember our loved ones who died from COVID, honor all Long Haulers, and raise awareness about the ongoing needs of the COVID survivor community. FInd a march near you https://bit.ly/3JAKq9F

Joining us at the Brooklyn COVID March to Remember this Saturday?

Don't forget that we're meeting at Cadman Square Plaza!

Registration starts at 9 and the rally kicks off at 10:25. Any other questions? Visit our FAQ page here: https://docs.google.com/.../1QafwHneGwtULJ7L9WciAvfj.../edit

08/01/2022

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Our exhibit needs help cleaning the white flags so they can be carefully archived. Available times: Th/Sat/Sun 1-5 pm in Bethesda, MD. Message here for details.