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Depiction of the American Flag

1. In Peter Max's Flag with Heart and Emma Amos's Stars and Stripes, two similar, but unique designs depicting the American flag are presented. Max's work reduces the number of vertical stripes to broad bands whereas Amos uses the more traditional narrow alternating bands to present her image. Max employs a combination of stars and hearts whereas Amos replaces the stars with a photograph. Max's flag uses very bold color along with fluid, almost abstracted lines in a manner meant to symbolize the joy and the power of the flag as a permanent icon within America's history and collective consciousness (What do the colors of the flag mean, 2003). The relationship of the stars and the hearts suggests that this symbol is deeply rooted in the American psyche.

In Amos's more static painting, a broad "X" is centered upon the striped field, suggesting as does the photograph image in the stars where stars are usually found that the flag represents ideas and values that are not played out in the real world or in the real experience of American citizens. The difference between the two works in terms of design and symbolism is readily apparent, and despite the fact that they use what is a near-universal American icon, their understanding of the meaning of this icon represents different ideologies.

2. The black and white photographs presented in the exhibit such as TWU Rally, by Arthur Leipzig, is as powerful and significant in its commentary as the art work by artists such as Pete Max that employ the traditional red, white, and blue colors of the American flag. The use of black and white in photography does not diminish the power of the icon, but as is the case with Leipzig's work, imbues the flag with a darker side. This speaks directly to the fact that American history and experience has meant different things to different groups.

Whereas the vibrant red, white, and blue of the traditional flag speaks of faith, patriotism, and c...

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Depiction of the American Flag. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 11:12, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1683464.html