Jan. 19, 2022

True South Team on the First Flag for Antarctica and the Power of Design

True South Team on the First Flag for Antarctica and the Power of Design

Flags are incredibly effective symbols in uniting people and inspiring change, yet what exactly makes a well-designed flag? This week we interview the team behind "True South", Antarctica's first flag.

Flags are incredibly effective symbols in uniting people and inspiring change, yet what exactly makes a well-designed flag? This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we interview the team behind "True South", Antarctica's first flag. True South's designer Evan Townsend, vexillologist Michael Green, and arctic researcher Celas Marie-Sainte team up to discuss what makes the flag a remarkable design and unifying symbol for Antarctica's preservation. Evan talks about the incredible community he's seen form around True South, and Michael chimes in with why the flag's unconventional design made it the obvious choice for the continent. Plus, we'll dive into your listener questions as Celas shares why it may be best to avoid arctic tourism.

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Read more about True South's work and the projects we discuss:

Learn All About Antarctica's First Flag Called 'True South' [Interview]

Conservation Photographer Cristina Mittermeier on the State of Our Oceans and Using Art To Take Action [Podcast]

Photographer Ami Vitale on Following Your Heart and Documenting Stories of Hope [Podcast]

Evan TownsendProfile Photo

Evan Townsend

Evan Townsend is a multimedia producer and educator. He is also the designer of the True South flag—the first flag for Antarctica. He is dedicated to telling stories to make a difference. Evan created the flag to tell a story about Antarctica that might encourage people to take an interest in her conservation.

Michael GreenProfile Photo

Michael Green

Michael Green is a vexillologist and vexillographer—or flag expert and flag designer. Michael founded Flags for Good because he believes flags can change the world. Through his company, he sells flags that support good causes. One of the many flags he sells is the True South flag.

Wenceslas Marie-SainteProfile Photo

Wenceslas Marie-Sainte

Wenceslas Marie-Sainte is a scientist and researcher currently working at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was an early adopter of the flag during his time in Antarctica.