Here’s the dirt on S.F. exhibition: Andy Goldsworthy’s flags turn earth into art

Andy Goldsworthy’s art installation, Red Flags, concludes its monthlong run at the Gateway Pavilion in San Francisco’s Fort Mason this week. The exhibition features 50 canvas flags, each stained with earth collected from a different U.S. state. By displaying these distinct samples of soil, the artist highlights the iron-rich composition found in nature and the shared physical makeup of the country.

Curator Cheryl Haines organized the show as a public art project to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The installation uses the vast, sunlit Gateway Pavilion to present the flags in the order each state entered the Union. The display avoids heavy commentary or complex explanations, opting instead for a silent, reflective environment that encourages visitors to consider what ties the states together.

The project originated during the 2020 pandemic lockdown, when volunteers from across the country gathered soil samples to be processed at Goldsworthy’s studio in Scotland. While the artist could not attend the opening, the scale and site-specific nature of the pavilion complement his long history of creating earthen works in the Bay Area. The installation provides a rare opportunity to view this specific collection before it concludes.

Visitors have until the end of the week to view the exhibit before it departs. The venue remains open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. this Wednesday and Thursday. Admission is free, and the space operates without audio or intrusive displays to maintain focus on the artwork itself.