Public Installation, Galway Ireland

This unauthorized public art piece was created in collaboration with my wife Megan Carpenter. Several flags were designed and fabricated off-site and then installed on a sunny afternoon along the Corrib river walk, a popular scenic route through the heart of the city.

Continue to next image to learn more about this piece.

test test test

Collecting material

Megan and our son Ty in the traditional Irish fishing boat that we rented. This small river winds its way out to Loch Corrib. Along the way we collected the reeds used in one of the flags.

Maneuvering our boat among water reeds

Along the serene riverbanks we encountered swans, ducks and the occasional sheep. Here we collect reeds growing in the shallows of the small river

Leaving the river and crossing a choppy Loch Corrib

Two of the many small islands dotting the lake can be seen in the distance. Navigating with a small map, we headed toward an island known for the ruins of an early Christian Monastery that can be found among its forests.

Securing the boat on the rocky shoreline

The water along the shoreline of these islands is shallow and lined with rocks. The approach was tricky, and getting close enough to shore to keep our feet dry proved difficult. During our exploration of this island, we collected the Rhododendron leaves used in one of the flags.

Enjoying the moment

This excursion was a real adventure for our 5-year-old boy, one he will surely remember.

Our beautiful wooden boat

These small wooden crafts are equipped with oars and fortunately, an outboard motor. They are large enough to stand up and walk in, but small enough to be tossed around quite a bit on the windy water of the lake.

Installation Site

A small canal parallels the Corrib River, creating the narrow river walk which cuts through Galway.

Installation Site

In this view the incomplete lamp posts, which we used as flagpoles, can be seen lining the paved walkway.

Installation

The flags were installed during the day as many curious people looked on. Few stopped to ask what we were doing.

Trash

One flag was made by assembling clear plastic wrappers from our garbage. This type of trash is so common, it has seemingly become a natural part of our environment.

Silk

The fabric (silk) and color (royal purple) used in this piece are both historical components of the symbolism traditionally attached to flags.

Reeds

The wind lets this flag, made of cotton fabric and reeds collected along the river, collapse toward earth as the setting sun shines through.

Leaves

The tough Rhododendron leaves collected on the island were stitched together to create this flag. One yellowed leave was used among the healthier deep green leaves.

The flags were observed by many and then by morning had met their inevitable fate at the hands of the relentless wind and the exuberant bar patrons heading home.