Twilight Gleaming, 1

Indivisible — Reflections on a Shared Symbol

Twilight Gleaming is a photographic series that explores the graphic strength and potent, evolving symbolism of the American flag.

I made these images while working in the Chesapeake Bay during a time when the flag felt especially fragile as a national symbol. Late one afternoon, as daylight began to fade, I was drawn to the flag’s reflection in the water, transfixed by the way it twisted, dissolved, and reformed. This series conveys the flag’s power and agility as a symbol, moving fluidly between moments of apparent fragility and unwavering resilience.

The American flag has long represented both unity and the freedom to express differing views, echoing the nation’s evolving ideals. Indivisible carries that expression into the public sphere, inviting collective reflection.

Indivisible Project Concept

Indivisible is a contemplative public art installation intended as an invitation to reflect on the meaning of the American flag and what it represents at a pivotal moment in the nation’s history.  Presented through bi-coastal immersive pop-up gallery exhibitions, the project will engage broad public audiences across political, generational, and regional lines.

The installation presents nine images from Twilight Gleaming as 40 × 60-inch dye-sublimated prints on brushed aluminum, softly lit in a darkened space that invites contemplation and quiet engagement.

At a moment that marks 250 years of American history, our collective reading of the flag and what it represents is in flux. This project asks viewers to consider what the American flag means to them personally.  Visitors are invited to share their reflections, which will be collected anonymously and form the foundation of a living archive and final publication that offers insight into how this powerful symbol continues to hold carry meaning both within and beyond the United States.

Project Format:  Two Pop-Up Gallery Exhibitions

Prior to any future extended traveling iteration, Indivisible will be presented through two bi-coastal pop-up gallery exhibitions. These initial month-long presentations will allow for sustained engagement, public programming, and deeper dialogue, while establishing a foundation for documentation, digital circulation, and future phases.

Pop-Up 1

Washington, DC — Fall 2026

The inaugural exhibition will take place in Washington, DC, a city uniquely at the intersection of policy, history, and civic discourse. The DC pop-up will serve as the project’s anchor, introducing Indivisible during the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration and establishing the framework for public participation and documentation.

Pop-Up 2

San Francisco — Spring 2027

The second exhibition will be presented in San Francisco, extending the project’s reach to the West Coast and engaging a different cross section of the country. Together, the two locations create a bi-coastal dialogue reflecting the diversity and complexity of contemporary American perspectives.

The Exhibition Experience

The installation is conceived as a quiet, contemplative space designed to encourage reflection and sustained engagement.

• Nine large-scale photographic works from Twilight Gleaming presented as 40 × 60 inch dye-sublimated prints on brushed aluminum

• Soft, focused lighting in a subdued environment

• Minimal text, allowing the images to lead the experience

Visitors are invited to spend time with the work and to respond to a prompt to reflect on what the American flag evokes for them personally at this moment in American history.  These responses will be collected anonymously, forming a growing archive of voices that speak to how this shared symbol is understood by different Americans.

Public Engagement and Programming

The month-long format allows Indivisible to function not only as an exhibition, but as a platform for civic reflection.

Potential programming may include:

• Opening and closing receptions

• Moderated conversations or panels on art, democracy, and national identity

• University and student group visits

• Quiet reflection hours

• Partnerships with cultural, academic, or civic organizations

Programming will be tailored to each city and developed in collaboration with local partners.

Archive and Publication

Visitor reflections gathered during the Washington, DC and San Francisco exhibitions will form the foundation of a final publication and digital archive. Together, these responses will offer insight into how a diverse cross-section of Americans — shaped by different regions, backgrounds, and perspectives — interpret and emotionally respond to the American flag at this historical moment.  As the project evolves, future phases may incorporate additional voices and locations, allowing the archive to expand over time.

The archive may be shared through:

• A published book

• An online archive

• Future exhibitions or presentations

• Educational or civic programming

Opportunities for Support and Collaboration

Indivisible welcomes conversations with individuals, foundations, and institutions interested in supporting civic-minded cultural work.

Opportunities include:

• Underwriting one or both pop-up exhibitions

• Providing artist and project lead support for the development and realization of the project

• Supporting public programming and community engagement

• Funding the publication and archival component

• Partnering as a presenting or sponsoring organization

• Assisting with visibility, outreach, and media engagement

Future Phases & Long-Term Vision

While Indivisible is currently conceived as two focused pop-up gallery exhibitions, the project is intentionally designed to be scalable.

The Washington, DC and San Francisco pop-ups will serve as foundational chapters — establishing the exhibition format, public engagement framework, and archival process. These initial presentations will generate the documentation, partnerships, and audience responses needed to inform potential future iterations.

In subsequent phases, Indivisible may expand into additional cities or formats, including the possibility of a traveling modular installation that brings the work into public and civic spaces across the country. Any future expansion would be developed thoughtfully, in collaboration with partners, and contingent on appropriate funding and support.

In this way, the initial pop-up exhibitions are both complete in themselves and generative, creating a platform from which Indivisible can evolve responsibly over time.

Geographic Reach & Public Participation

• Bi-coastal exhibitions (East & West)

• Digital and documented circulation

• Future expansion as a separate phase