I will just offer that my brain wants the iconic Iwo Jima flag raising photo to be a statue - I have to bully my brain into believing it’s an image of flesh and blood humans in action, rather than a photo of a statue (of a photo), so solidified is that image in my American cultural consciousness
Wonderful article - great read. And well researched, as always Patrick. For the most part though this is a very American leaning view, but perhaps understandable given the way the US flag's place in culture, politics and throughout any American's life. Although not as pervasive or political, other flag photos have had huge impacts on other counties as well.
Two years ago Canada was roilled by protests across the country by a loose conderation of right wingers and anti-vaxxers, culminating in weeks of a noisy occupation of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. It was the equivalent in its way of the Jan 6 events in Washington 2 years before that, and was the most visual evidence of the polarization going on in Canada. Although most of the country found it annoying and just wished the "truckers" would leave their capitol, nothing happens until this photograph of the desecration of a statue of one of this country's most revered people was desecrated by the protesters: https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/sfs7ll/canadian_icon_terry_foxs_statue_defaced_during/
I believe the VP photographer was Adrian Wyld. Once this was published, the rise turned against the occupation in a huge way and the RCMP finally decided to end it by towing away tricks and moving people away from Parliament.
Appreciate your comment - I'm hoping others will weigh in on similarly-galvanizing flag photos I missed from other countries. I left a ton on the floor, probably should have broken this up into chapters. thanks again!
I will just offer that my brain wants the iconic Iwo Jima flag raising photo to be a statue - I have to bully my brain into believing it’s an image of flesh and blood humans in action, rather than a photo of a statue (of a photo), so solidified is that image in my American cultural consciousness
Wonderful article - great read. And well researched, as always Patrick. For the most part though this is a very American leaning view, but perhaps understandable given the way the US flag's place in culture, politics and throughout any American's life. Although not as pervasive or political, other flag photos have had huge impacts on other counties as well.
Two years ago Canada was roilled by protests across the country by a loose conderation of right wingers and anti-vaxxers, culminating in weeks of a noisy occupation of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. It was the equivalent in its way of the Jan 6 events in Washington 2 years before that, and was the most visual evidence of the polarization going on in Canada. Although most of the country found it annoying and just wished the "truckers" would leave their capitol, nothing happens until this photograph of the desecration of a statue of one of this country's most revered people was desecrated by the protesters: https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/sfs7ll/canadian_icon_terry_foxs_statue_defaced_during/
I believe the VP photographer was Adrian Wyld. Once this was published, the rise turned against the occupation in a huge way and the RCMP finally decided to end it by towing away tricks and moving people away from Parliament.
Appreciate your comment - I'm hoping others will weigh in on similarly-galvanizing flag photos I missed from other countries. I left a ton on the floor, probably should have broken this up into chapters. thanks again!
Note also the use of the upside down Canadian flag.
This is very good, and very helpful to my own thinking. I will share widely, and may respond in due course. Thank you.
Terrific read! Thanks for sharing the context, alternate, and film reel of the icon flag-raising photo.