Where have all the flowers gone? Anonymous street artist’s anti-war installation at Greenham Common
An anti-war installation by an anonymous street artist was on display at Greenham Common.
‘Where Have All the Flowers Gone?’ by 742 recently appeared on the runway of the former air base.
The artist said the new piece addressed “the themes of vulnerability and the fragility of human life” and was “deeply inspired by both the site’s history and the famous anti-war song by Pete Seeger”.
For 19 years, the site was home to the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp, who were protesting against nuclear weapons.
A 256m2 black cloth, covered in white wildflowers was laid out for one day on the runway on March 20, with the support of 101 Outdoor Arts’ residency programme.
The artist said: “Where have all the flowers gone? asks the famous anti-war song.
“They are all on black cloths, transforming public space into a field of collective mourning.
“These flowers are plucked, unnatural, lifeless. With this work, I mourn the whole world. I mourn the victims of every senseless slaughter. I mourn the belief that good will always triumph. I mourn our future and the future of our children, as I watch politicians juggle it for the sake of their own spectacle.
“The world is once again heading down the same path that once led to catastrophe. I don't want this to happen again.
“The black cloth is a reminder that war never truly disappears. It returns through the decisions made on our behalf, through loud words that drown out the truth, through our silence, which has no justification.
“This work references the song "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?", written by Pete Seeger in 1955.
“The simple melody, inspired by the lullaby "Koloda-Duda" from Mikhail Sholokhov’s novel And Quiet Flows the Don (Tales of the Don), became an anti-war anthem.
“In 1962, Marlene Dietrich performed it in multiple languages.
“When will they ever learn? — the song’s final refrain echoes as a desperate cry for peace and hope.
“I ask the same question.”
