The Beijing Handover

This flag has already been used as a commemorative baton in it's handover from Beijing to London and on to Swale Borough Council

Dividing the Flag into 200 pieces

Each piece is 10cm x 10cm square, big enough for people to sign and date their individual piece on 11th July

Numbering

The squares then have their own unique number to help locate the flag back together correctly and identify each person's signature for future exhibitions

Press release - "Cutting the Flag"

Before we could cut the flag up, the media had an opportunity to photograph the event. Pictured here from left, Paula Trower (artist), Catherine Herbert (Swale's Art & Heritage Officer) and Janet Daw (assistant artist)

Cutting in Progress

There is no turning back now - the sculpture is under way!

Seamstress at work!

The flag's edges were fraying - time to stitch the edges in a complementary colour before posting! Pictured here, Paula Trower (artist) and Dorothy Ashurst (seamstress)

Getting ready for posting, 1st July 2009

The flag pieces were attached to the instructions and put into gold envelopes. Addresses were randomly selected from the Electoral Role and franked by Swale Borough Council.

Press Release - "1st July Posting"

The media were requested to document and announce the imminent arrival of gold envelopes on lucky participants doorsteps.

Opening up the shop ready for the reuniting of the Flag (11th July 2009)

People watching their returned and signed square being reunited with the flag

More pieces arrive and the flag takes shape

The Mayor pins a flag piece to the material

The Pearly Queen and her Parrot come to encourage us on

A participant posts their card for the £200 Prize Draw

The completed flag and display is shown in Sittingbourne High Street for all to see