If it's true that, as Reubin Askew said, "We must stop talking about the American dream and start listening to the dreams of Americans," then New York documentary photographer Lauri Lyons found the perfect technique for representing the lives and thoughts of marginalized America. For five years she travelled through the streets and projects, malls and boondocks of the U.S., photographing ordinary citizens with the American flag and asking them what they think of their country. The resulting tapestry of images and handwritten meditations on the state of the union forms one of the most poetic plebiscites ever undertaken. Collated as Lyons travelled alone on Amtrack railways and stayed in youth hostels, the photographs of singular individuals within the great melting pot are poignant, inspirational and profoundly expressive. They ask questions about the real identity of the land of the free. As children, missionaries, American Indians, former gang members, bikers, mothers and cops pass comment on the nation's beauty and violence, their personal stories filter through the stars and stripes. In Lyon's celebratory, penetrating photographs, the 'masses' are no longer mere statistics. "The thing that struck me hardest was that no matter who I photographed, or where they cam from, there was always a genuine astonishment that someone actually wanted to know what they thought," says Lyons. "In a nation that prides itself upon its democratic principles, all of which is most potently symbolized by the flag, this fact surely raises some pretty uncomfortable questions." Flag is a portable library of humanity which every home should have.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
I think Flag is a brilliant and beautiful book. This is the first photographic book i've seen which shows the true diversity of America. It is not generic and predictable. It provides a platform for a wide range of faces and perspectives in this country.
Brilliant idea, beautiful photographs, perfect timing .
Brilliant idea, beautiful photographs, perfect timing .
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Great book. Flag is educational, surprising, intresting, and beautiful. An updated verision of the American Dream.
1 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By M. R. Hansen
This is the first review I have written and the reason is because this book is exceedingly bad. I was very disappointed in the book.
The interviews and photos concentrate on people with poor opinions of the USA. It seems that Lauri Lyons went out of her way to find the dregs of society to interview and photograph. There are many negative and hateful comments about the USA and I can't imagine why any publisher would publish this book.
I believe in the constitution, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. But, why would they print such a tasteless book? This is not real America.
There are some nice exceptions, such as the cowboys in Montana and many old timers. However, there are photos showing people standing on the flag and stories about how people threw the flag she gave them on the ground.
She had a good idea and an excellent theme. She blew it.
M. R. Hansen
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