BLOWING AGAINST THE WIND
I was commissioned to create a unique series of banners and flags to celebrate the rich and layered history of Jersey’s much-loved Elizabeth Castle. The aim was to bring to the fore its spiritual history by laying out a trail of flags for visitors to follow starting from the castle’s entrance and leading to the Hermitage where Saint Helier lived in 500AD. The installation invites people to follow a thread into the past, and to find their own path amidst the stories, symbols, myths, and histories that surround and give meaning to this place.
By dressing the castle, the inspiration for this project comes from and relates back to this iconic site. Blowing Against The Wind encourages engagement with heritage in new and thought-provoking ways by merging contemporary art with history.
Each flag disrupts the traditional idea of heraldic or national flags. Using curves, rather than geometric symmetry, and non-conforming colours, like hot pinks, they broaden our notion of flags and their function. Most of the banners are site-specific and respond directly to the architecture and history of the castle.
Commissioned by Jersey Heritage.
Produced by Creative Commissions
Producer Aras Amiri
Enter in Peace
The first banner of the trail right at the entrance of Elizabeth Castle sets the tone with a burst of colour and introduces the purpose of the flag trail into the spiritual past of the place.
The little house hints at the primordial human shelter, a roof over our heads, as well as at the final destination of the installation, the Hermitage where Saint Helier lived in 500AD.
Nazi Bunker Skirt
During the German Occupation 1940-45 the Nazis put a concrete bunker on top of Elizabeth Castle. I found that outrageous and had the idea to put a pink skirt around the bunker. The scallops are decorated with Jersey parish crests, cows, potatoes and cabbages. The skirt is 30 meters long and visible for miles from land and sea.
Abbey Square Twins
After St. Helier’s death a monastic community formed on the islet and at some point there was an Abbey there. Over the decades got used as a gun powder storage and eventually got hit by a missile and exploded. Not one brick of it is left.
The twin banners mirror the architecture and hint at this lost piece of history by renaming the parade place into Abbey Square.
Windmill
At some point in the 17th century there was a fortified windmill on the island. It was destroyed during one of the many wars the castle has seen.
Sun Sail
A horizontal banner at the Iron Gate of the castle. It is a hidden location as viewers have to look up to discover it.
Gun Powder Chapel
This former gun powder storage called Sergeant Laniard’s Magazine is transformed into a chapel. A place for visitors to contemplate and reflect. The fire that had to be kept out has been brought back in. But this time it is the fire of love, devotion and passion.
Castle Wall
Deconstruction of national flags and a re-fluiding of symbols. This banner sits very prominently on one of the old walls of Elizabeth Castle.
Hermitage - St. Helier’s Bed
Final destination of the flag trail.
This is the rock the hermit Helibert, later known as Saint Helier lived on in 500AD. He was beheaded by Viking pirates and myth has it that he carried his own head to the shore. The 12th century chapel erected over his bed lends the main symbol to the installation: the house, the primordial symbol of human shelter and safety.