ISTANBUL’74 and Utöpia showcasing the Flags for Future sustainability project
at at the 16th Contemporary Istanbul, taking place at Tersane Istanbul between
7-10 October, with textile artist Rachel Hayes’ site-specific installation and
limited edition flags by José Parlá, Robert Montgomery, Jean-Charles de
Castelbajac, André Saraiva, Blair Chivers, Mathias Kiss, Fabio Paleari, Giasco

Bertoli, Aaron Young and many more.

“Flags for Future”, presented by ISTANBUL’74 and Utöpia is a project that reimagines our
shared values and paves the way for creating awareness to form new connections within
ourselves. Taking inspiration from the unifying power of art, it takes the flag as a medium
that welcomes the artistic expression for future hopes and thoughts to be set free to float in
the skies.
ISTANBUL’74 collaborates with Utöpia presenting “Flags for Future” a set of artist flags
produced in limited edition and made from upcycled plastic waste from the oceans. While
being a sustainability project, a part of proceeds from “Flags for Future” will go to the efforts
to clean seas and all seashores.
As a deconstruction of the concept of the flag, “Flags for Future” quests for a new
conception of this new medium, deeming it a canvas for unity and collective thought as well
as free artistic expression.
The project includes flag designs by leading artists such as prize-winning architect Sir David
Adjaye, Scottish poet and sculptor Robert Montgomery, Cuban-American artist José Parlá,
French fashion designer and artist Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, creator of the famous Mr. A
persona André Saraiva, conceptual artist Blair Chivers aka Evalesco Eleven, multidisciplinary
artist Mathias Kiss, multimedia and digital artist Krista Kim, award-winning director Alphan
Eşeli, photographers Giasco Bertoli, Fabio Paleari, and American contemporary artist Aaron
Young and many more.
A site-specific installation by world-renowned textile artist Rachel Hayes will feature her
signature colorful and whimsical textile works on site. Hayes’ forms and geometric patterns
invite viewers to engage with the work, while blending with the existing architecture and
surrounding environment.
Gaining international recognition with her collaboration with renowned fashion house
Missoni in 2018, Rachel Hayes is interested in inserting color and form into both built and
natural environments. The artworks utilize Hayes’ signature color and forms executed in

various fabrics including organza, polyester, and cotton while exploring textiles inspired by
the location.
In addition to being a sustainability project, “Flags For Future” will donate the proceeds to
Parley for the Oceans, a non-profit organization that focuses on protection of the oceans
and Turmepa, a non-governmental organization founded by Rahmi M. Koç that aims to
preserve Turkey’s coastlines and seas.

For more information:
Utöpia.com @utopia_flags
Istanbul74.com @istanbul74