Beth on the Bright Side: White Flag Project

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Updated: 8:55 PM Feb 3, 2011 Beth on the Bright Side: White Flag Project White flags are typically thought of as a sign of weakness and surrender. However, one local artist sees it differently and says white flags can symbolize a sign of strength. Posted: 8:49 PM Feb 3, 2011 Reporter: Beth Duffy Email Address: beth.duffy@newsplex.com

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February 3, 2011

White flags are typically thought of as a sign of weakness and surrender. However, one local artist sees it differently and says white flags can symbolize a sign of strength.

Aaron Fein, a local artist, is working to create 192 white flags, one for each country in the United Nations. Completed flags are on display at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville.

"The White Flag Project began after September 11th when I watched all the American flag bumper stickers fading in color and fading toward white and I wondered what would that mean to have a world of white flags. So I went about making all these white flags," said Aaron Fein.

Fein says the flags serve a symbolic purpose.

"If you take everything away, there's really not that much separating us ultimately from being interdependent on one another," Fein added.

Each flag is a work of art, with each nation's symbol carefully stitched onto the white background.

"Some of these flags are incredibly intricate and you have to put your eyes on it to believe the depth," said April Brah, of the Viking Sewing Gallery.

If you would like to help out with the project, you can participate in a Sew-In from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Rugby Road.

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