Flags for knowledge planted across campus in Aalborg

By Sofie Astrup, AAU Communication og Public Affairs
Photos: Niels Fabæk and Sofie Astrup

The artist duo Hesselholdt & Mejlvang set up 116 flagpoles on the Aalborg campus. The colourful artwork "Flags of Knowledge" is part of the celebration of AAU's 50th anniversary.

"The title of the work represents everything that goes on in a place like this - a university that stands out internationally and is at the forefront in many ways. Here, we can produce knowledge that contributes to the future, the community and the development of society. We think this is worth noting and worth celebrating with flags," say Sofie Hesselholdt and Vibeke Mejlvang. 

As part of the exhibition, they have also placed four weathervanes at the four stops of the Plus Bus cutting through campus and connecting the faculties in Aalborg. 

"We have chosen to write the words Love, Community, Knowledge and Future into the weathervanes. The concepts can blow with the wind in the weathervanes and change direction from day to day, which means that they extend across the entire campus. In addition, it can also be a description of where the wind takes us all in life," they elaborate. 

Easier wayfinding and more beautiful outdoor areas at AAU 

The idea for their works at AAU arose during the preparation of AAU's new art strategy: ONE CAMPUS. The purpose of the art strategy is, among other things, to improve the outdoor areas on campus, making them more coherent and making it easier to find your way around. In addition, several photo locations will also be set up for graduation photos. The goals have been set after two years of preparation and workshops with students and staff.  

Hesselholdt & Mejlvang's exhibition has a special purpose in making it easier to find your way around.

"The flags are visual landmarks to give people a sense of where they belong, which is why they have been given the four faculty colours: Green (ENG), orange (TECH), purple (SSH) and blue (HEALTH). In addition, there is a common red colour for the flags at the canteens," they say. 

The start of a new chapter for AAU 

With their artwork, Sofie Hesselholdt and Vibeke Mejlvang have planted the flags for knowledge at a university that over the past 50 years has grown so large that they have had to think about community and competences in the physical space. 

"The meaning of the work is also to emphasize the existence of the university. And because AAU has been here for 50 years, the university has grown so much that there is now a need for the flagpoles, which is a nice celebration for us to be a part of," they say. 

Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs