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Flags of Main Enemy Troops

Print
2002 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This set of prints is derived from Olga and Alexander Florensky's multi-disciplinary project 'Russian Trophy', 2002. This was a collection of objects from an imaginary military museum, including ramshackle sculptures and fanciful war machines made from found objects and materials, banners, flags, graphics, paintings and films.The project satirised the fortress mentality and xenophobia of the Russian Empire and its successor the Soviet Union. Russia's historical rivals are not named explicitly but alluded to with thinly disguised versions of the flags of countries such as Britain ('North-Western Enemy'), France ('South-Western Enemy') and Japan ('Eastern Enemy'). Other flags comically representing hostile forces such as 'Subaquatic Swimming Troops' or 'Military Therapy Troops' could be battlefield trophies captured from an imaginary enemy. The whole set is contained in a wooden box with the title stencilled onto a lid screwed shut with wingnuts to resemble a crate of military supplies or equipment.

Object details

Category
Object type
Titles
  • Flags of Main Enemy Troops (assigned by artist)
  • Flags of Main Enemy States (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Wood with metal fixtures
Brief description
Box for: Olga & Alexander Florensky, Flags of Main Enemy Troops / Flags of Main Enemy States, 2002.
Physical description
Rectangular (landscape format) wooden box with lid, secured with wing nuts, Russian title stencilled onto the lid in black.
Dimensions
  • Height: 39.5cm
  • Width: 47.7cm
  • Depth: 3.0cm
Production typeLimited edition
Copy number
21/27
Credit line
Given by Olga and Alexander Florensky
Summary
This set of prints is derived from Olga and Alexander Florensky's multi-disciplinary project 'Russian Trophy', 2002. This was a collection of objects from an imaginary military museum, including ramshackle sculptures and fanciful war machines made from found objects and materials, banners, flags, graphics, paintings and films.The project satirised the fortress mentality and xenophobia of the Russian Empire and its successor the Soviet Union. Russia's historical rivals are not named explicitly but alluded to with thinly disguised versions of the flags of countries such as Britain ('North-Western Enemy'), France ('South-Western Enemy') and Japan ('Eastern Enemy'). Other flags comically representing hostile forces such as 'Subaquatic Swimming Troops' or 'Military Therapy Troops' could be battlefield trophies captured from an imaginary enemy. The whole set is contained in a wooden box with the title stencilled onto a lid screwed shut with wingnuts to resemble a crate of military supplies or equipment.
Collection
Accession number
E.636:18-2014

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Record createdSeptember 10, 2014
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