Seattle has until November 15 to catch one of the year’s most thought-provoking exhibitions. For Which It Stands: The Many Threads of the American Flag, on view in MOHAI’s Walker Gallery, invites visitors to explore the many meanings and contradictions embodied in the American flag.
Through historical flags and imagery from MOHAI’s collections, alongside contributions from community partners, the exhibit traces how the flag appears in moments of unity, protest, conflict and change. Visitors encounter stories from a wide range of perspectives, showing how different communities embrace, question and redefine the flag’s symbolism over time.
The layered histories reveal the flag not as a fixed icon, but as a living symbol shaped by the people who carry it forward. A collective, interactive artwork invites guests to consider what the symbol represents for them personally, culturally and nationally, and to weave themselves into the story of the flag.
By examining both the ideals the flag represents and the realities of American history, the exhibition encourages visitors to think about how national symbols shape identity, and how they might help imagine a more inclusive future. MOHAI, the Museum of History & Industry at 860 Terry Avenue North on Lake Union, presents the exhibit free with admission, and it is recommended for adults, educators, kids and members alike. In the nation’s 250th year, it is a timely, Seattle way to join the conversation.
Photo: MOHAI
