Roots of Resilience explores the many cultures that have helped shape the city. Artists were invited to design flags that tell stories of hope, strength, and community, honoring the journeys of those who made Philly their home. From textiles to digital art, these powerful designs will fly high at Spruce Street Harbor Park from May 22, 2026, to September 7, 2026.
About the Flag:
This flag features the sentence: “The average distance a tear travels before it falls from the chin is 10 cm (3.93700787 inches)” on a white background. The work explores the connection between measurement and emotion, inspired by stories of immigrants in Philadelphia adapting from the imperial system to the metric system. For the artist, this shift represents more than mere practicality; it reflects how assimilation, survival, and identity can shape a person’s experience, sometimes distancing them from their past.
About the Artist:
Karsten Benjamin Ekhougen Larsen has long been interested in the idea of distance and the systems people create to measure and define the world around them. Through his work at the art academy in Bergen, he explores how standards and structures influence everyday life. Raised in church communities across Europe and the United States, he continues to draw on his international upbringing to shape his art and his interest in human connection.
