The recent edition of ‘Raising Flags’, initiated by Prof. Kathrin Messner and organised by Museum in Progress, was held at Ahungalla Beach.
This long-term project has been realised at various locations since 2023, including virtual exhibition spaces and media platforms in newspapers and magazines.
This edition featured several Sri Lankan artists, including Prof. Chandraguptha Thenuwwara and Raki Nikahetiya, alongside artists from various countries. Notably, a presentation was held in Ahungalla in 2025, in collaboration with the One World Foundation and Raki Nikahetiya.
Speaking to the Observer Muse, Prof. Kathrin Messner, founder of Museum in Progress, outlined the concept behind the “Raising Flags” project.
She said, “At a time when flags are increasingly used for nationalist purposes, Museum in Progress employs this medium for art through ‘Raising Flags.’ Rather than symbolizing division and territoriality, the flag serves as a medium for artistic freedom, open discourse, and global perspectives.
“Raising Flags transforms flagpoles into temporary exhibition spaces, inviting artists to create new meanings and associations. Thus, the flag becomes a bearer of diverse artistic expressions, inclusive rather than exclusive, unifying rather than dividing.”
Raki Nikahetiya, one of the participating Sri Lankan artists, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “Working with Museum in Progress has been exciting and thought-provoking. In just a year, we’ve showcased the ‘Raising Flags’ series at 3,600 metres in the Himalayas during the sã Land Art Biennale in Ladakh, India, and now at sea level in Sri Lanka. I’m eager to see where we can take the flags next, connecting artists, ideas, and cultures through this immersive project.”
In addition to its inclusion in Vienna’s Stubenbrücke, where Anna Jermolaewa’s work is currently featured, the project was showcased in 2024 in Ladakh, India, at the sã Biennale, and in Bad Gastein as part of the sommer.frische.kunst festival.
The first phase of ‘Raising Flags’, which began on May 1, 2023, was titled “Nation Flags of Ideas” and addressed questions of social coexistence during challenging times. Museum in Progress has revitalized public spaces, particularly Stubenbrücke, which was previously characterized by the lemur heads of Franz West, transforming the area along the Vienna River into an art zone visible to all.
This initiative not only fosters artistic expression but also invites dialogue on pressing social issues, making art accessible and relevant in today’s diverse global landscape. -AK
