New York’s Favorite Foods Take Over United Nations Flags At Rockefeller Center

For the fourth installment of The Flag Project, the 193 United Nations member states’ flags that usually line the sky at the Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, New York, will be replaced with crowd-sourced artworks—this time depicting the city’s vibrant food culture.

Those visiting the iconic building will see portrayals of bagels, dollar slices, famous restaurants, and hole-in-the-wall delights lining the plaza. Apart from simply celebrating New Yorkers’ favorite dishes, the works grant insight into how the city eats.

According to the Rockefeller Center, this year’s project was launched in collaboration with City Harvest, the world’s first food rescue organization dedicated to feeding residents in need. Submissions flooded in not just from New York and the wider US, but from all around the world.

As per Hyperallergic, the initiative hopes to bring attention to important issues, including food insecurity and waste, which have gotten worse in recent years due to the lack of funding. It’s estimated that visits to food pantries and soup kitchens have risen by 70% since the pandemic.

Initially, the exhibition was started in 2020 as an outlet for the city to reflect upon its resilience to the lockdowns. It then expanded to focus on pertinent issues occurring around the world, with last year’s theme focused on climate change.

When we celebrate New York’s incredible food, we go big. The Flag Project, in partnership with City Harvest, is now flying around The Rink all April long. pic.twitter.com/NPt5cXGd40

— Rockefeller Center (@rockcenternyc) April 4, 2023

“The Flag Project helped us usher in a new era of togetherness and human connection amidst a difficult time. We’re proud to fly these meaningful flags for all to see, in the heart of New York for a fourth consecutive year,” the organizers explained.

This year’s flags will be on view from April 3 to April 12 and April 17 to April 30. Head here to see an online catalog of all the artworks.

[via Hyperallergic and Time Out, images via Rockefeller Center]