Flag cowards

Radio NZ reports:

A controversial piece of artwork that prompted 101 complaints in a week has now been stolen from a Hastings art gallery.

The installation, Flagging the Future, at Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga Hastings Art Gallery asked gallery visitors to “please” walk on top of a quasi-NZ flag.

Councillor Steve Gibson expressed his displeasure with the exhibition earlier this week. Since then there have been small protests outside, 101 complaints to the Hastings District Council and the gallery and at least one trespass notice issued.

The artist and the gallery probably think they are brave and edgy, but in reality they are cowards. They know what they are doing is hugely offensive to most NZers, but they are banking on the fact that the worst they will get is angry e-mails.

Think of the artist and gallery did a different display. Say they had four flags on display on the floor. The NZ ensign, the Tino Rangatiratanga flag, the Rainbow flag and a flag showing Muhammad on it. And they invited people to walk on the flag that displeases them most.

Would they ever do that? Of course not. They are cowards. They know the outrage would be so massive. They pick the safe option of the NZ ensign. They are not being edgy. They are not being provocative. They are just being sad.

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