The German Artists Who Put White Flags on the Brooklyn Bridge Are Still Facing Criminal Charges—But Their First New York Show Is Opening Anyway

The German artist duo that clandestinely planted white flags on New York’s Brooklyn Bridge four years ago are coming back to New York. Mischa Leinkauf and Matthias Wermke are still facing criminal charges in the US for the July 2014 stunt, in which they scaled the bridge under cover of darkness and replaced the two American flags with hand-sewn star spangled banners in all white.

Although the artists insist they treated the bridge respectfully and followed US flag code, the incident prompted a media frenzy, embarrassed police, and spurred fear and bewilderment among New Yorkers—as well as serious legal ramifications for the Berlin-based artists. Nonetheless, their debut solo exhibition in New York, “I THINK IT’S SAFE TO SAY,” opens today, September 14, at Signs & Symbols gallery. But will the artists be in attendance?
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