Two Flags (black) 1970 - 1972

Curator: Here we have Jasper Johns' "Two Flags (black)," part of the Tate collection. The image size is approximately 627 by 495 millimeters. Editor: My first impression is one of somber reflection. The stark black and white and the layering create a sense of unease. Curator: Johns' repeated use of the American flag opens a dialogue about nationalism, identity, and the commodification of symbols within American culture. Editor: Absolutely, and the monochrome palette removes any celebratory connotations, instead forcing us to confront the symbol itself stripped of its usual fanfare. Curator: The process itself, the layering and almost obscured imagery, points to a broader cultural anxiety surrounding American identity. Editor: It also speaks to the multiplicity of meanings that a single symbol can hold, dependent on historical and political context. It really makes you think about the weight of representation. Curator: Indeed, Johns compels us to interrogate not just the flag, but our relationship to it and what it represents. Editor: It’s a powerful piece, one that continues to spark critical conversations.