I did a quick google streetview down just a few of my favorite streets in downtown Chicago and found more than 30 lovely Chicago flags. A quick search in downtown MPLS and I found none! sad sad.
So to recap the idea from class:
We've been talking a lot about bringing people together, and how difficult that can be in such a diverse (and cold) city.
The presence of a city flag is, at least to me, a really simple way to show pride and unitedness. I can honestly say I care about the Chicago flag and have talked to strangers just because of its presence.
Everyone who is in Minneapolis is here for a reason, and everyone can unite under this banner. It means something to each resident. It's something to start conversations, take pride in, and care about.
It seems like no one really knows there is a MPLS (or St. Paul) flag until they're told. But there is a flag! So let's make, hang, and distribute tons of these flags and add some intrigue and pride to our city's streets!
ya!!! a bunch of us have print shop acccess, we could screenprint a ton and just distribute like crazy.
ReplyDeleteI like that idea, lets get to printing!
ReplyDeleteI do not think you should print flags that already exist. You are reinventing the wheel and wasting time on production that takes away from the real purpose of the project. The flags already exist, and I am sure, there are boxes of flags somewhere in offices at the Minneapolis/St Paul governments. You need to make contact, find where they are, and distribute them.
ReplyDeleteI saw one downtown today on a building with Tomas.
ReplyDeleteI disagree that we are reinventing the Wheel.
It's not that I am saying the idea is reinventing the wheel-what I am saying is why would the class spend time producing flags that already exist? And who will pay for the materials etc. to produce the flags and then where will the flags be posted? If the class does this on their own as an "unofficial" design and then place them without permission then we will create a situation that might be counter to the intent.
ReplyDeleteMay be the flags are cards-that would mean screen printing
If the class is deciding to create a hybrid flag that incorporates elements of Minneapolis and St. Paul flags then that is a completely different approach and would negate contacting the city.
If you disagree then you have to support that so we can understand the reasons or context.
I know. I am sorry for disagreeing without reason. I was rushed to be somewhere and I posted the my disagreement without explaining why, NOT KOSHER, my apologies.
ReplyDeleteLet me rephrase that.
In printing flags that already exist I feel that it adds a level admiration and/or allegiance, on behalf of the makers, to the city that the flag represents. This is also achieved in the distribution, but the there is something to be said about laboring over something that is to be given away, almost out of pure love.
Possibly taking this to another level what would it mean if Minneapolis-ites were to produce St. Paul flags and vice versa. This achieves a new level of positive celebration and it seems to be smothered in US+THEM.
Just thoughts.
If this is the route you would like to explore (producing Minneapolis flags), maybe a mobile print station at an event in the city would be in order. This would provide an excellent forum to express the ideas!
ReplyDelete