As part of their art installation Decoding the Atlantic World, the artist collective Sites of Memory created a new signal flag language. Can you decode the message on the largest flag on the ship?
(The flags have gained a new meaning and symbolism as the colour palette from the Dutch national colours - red, white and blue - have been changed to the colours of the Pan-African flag green, red and black.)
At sea, the use of flags is very old. With flags, sailors could tell from each other whether a ship belonged to a particular country. Or they gave each other messages by means of signal flags. In the nineteenth century, agreements on this were laid down in the International Book of Signals.
Below you will find the A-Z of the original signal flags. But note: on the ship, we use different colours. The Dutch red, white and blue have been replaced by the colours of the Pan-African flag: green, red and black.
Can you decipher the meaning of the flag?
About Decoding the Atlantic World
Decoding the Atlantic World questions our understanding of maritime history and its role in the past, present and future by providing it with new meaning. A collaboration between artists Raul Balai, Jarrett Erasmus and Sites of Memory founders Jennifer Tosch and Katy Streek, this art installation showcases stories about some of the countries around the Atlantic Ocean that were colonised by the Netherlands in the past. The history connecting these countries is often viewed through 'Western' glasses. That is not the only way to look at it. Decoding the Atlantic World puts symbols and stories of resistance centre stage and shares them from the perspective of contemporary artists, dancers, poets and musicians.
Colophon - Decoding the Atlantic World
Concept: Raul Balai, Jarrett Erasmus, Jennifer Tosch, Katy Streek | Design of flags and interior: Raul Balai, Jarrett Erasmus | Video concept: Katy Streek, Bowie Verschuuren | Film and edit: Bowie Verschuuren | Storyteller: Jennifer Tosch | Poet/spoken word: Jörgen Gario | Singer-poet: Mirte Hartland | Choreography: Jomecia Oosterwolde, Luke de Kock | Dancers: Jomecia Oosterwolde, Jahcysha Boschman, Yona Lukken, Cloudia Buttner | Costume design: Alejandra Silva | Producer: Sites of Memory Stichting |
Creative producer: Gina Alina Patilea | Business director: Kimberley Smit | Technicals/installation: MAV Techniek, Bosman Letters, Wouter Nieuwendijk, Alejandra Silva | More info & contact: www.sitesofmemory.nl
