4'TH OF JULY

Photos & Video, New York 2007

Inverted Celebration presents a striking reinterpretation of traditional Fourth of July fireworks, as viewed from the East River in New York. By inverting these images into negatives, the work offers a poignant commentary on American nationalism and cultural celebration.

The piece transforms the vibrant, festive explosions of fireworks into surreal, almost abstract visuals—shifting from jubilant reds, whites, and blues to eerie, ghostly hues. What are typically symbols of national pride become enigmatic forms that evoke both grotesque and floral imagery. This inversion creates a dissonant visual experience, blurring the line between celebration and critique.

In this reimagined spectacle, the celebratory fireworks, often associated with patriotic fervor, are presented in a way that questions the very essence of nationalistic pride. The result is a disorienting juxtaposition that challenges conventional notions of American identity and pride, offering a reflective and potentially critical view of national celebrations.

See the video here

Read Jacob Lillemose' text on the works : Inverted Celebrations