Urbanus VI 2015

Iseult Labote's 'Urbanus VI' is a series of colorful flags mounted on poles, seemingly made of nylon or a similar synthetic fabric. These aren’t traditional art materials; they’re the kind of thing you’d see at a car dealership or perhaps a political rally. The material itself is key here. The flags' lightness allows them to dance in the wind, creating a dynamic, ever-changing display. You'll notice the surfaces of the flags are printed with diverse images. It is a digital process that allows for the quick reproduction of images, further blurring the lines between art and commercial display. Consider the labor involved: the design, printing, and installation are all relatively quick and cost-effective due to advances in digital printing technology. This speaks to our culture of mass production and consumption, where images are readily available and disposable. By using these commonplace materials and techniques, Labote challenges our notions of what constitutes art, inviting us to find beauty and meaning in the everyday.