THE ULURU FLAG
Proposal for a flag for Australia
worthy of a continent-nation
symbolizing its position
in the southern hemisphere.
The flag shows unmistakably
terra australis - the southern land.
It is the island continent down under
the enormous red land received from above.
The flag holds Ayers Rock in the centre
this central sacred symbol of Australia
the heritage of the nation
created at the beginning of time.
Uluru, Ayers Rock, flies over all Australians.
Beneath it the aboriginal people
can feel again at home in their own land.
The seven pointed federal star in the centre
under the curve of the southern continent
symbolizes the seven territories of the nation and
represents the political reality of modern Australia.
It's size and shape in the southern sky
are the same as on the commonwealth flag
thus affirming continuity of traditions.
This flag represents
man's new consciousness of space,
his advanced vision
of his real position in the universe
and his regained responsibility in the space age
lifts man up into the higher dimension of this new era.
The view from above, the view from and to the stars
replace the obsolete and distorted perspective vision.
There is no up and down in space.
Man must be aware
That he is not the centre of the universe.
The big curve - the bend of Australia's vastness
on the surface of the earth
takes up the whole length of the flag.
This curve of the horizon
descending from the southern sky
and ascending again to this sky
is the flag's prominent and proud symbol.
It is unique, simple, self-evident,
and cannot be confused with any other flag.
The image of this enormous continent
given to its people as a share of the earth's globe
will unite the Australian nation under the commitment
to an equally enormous shared responsibility
as part of all humanity
to love and preserve the earth.
The big curve flag - the Uluru
symbolizes the love of all Australians
for their grand, unique and magnificent nation,
in harmony with Australian traditions.
The island continent down under
situated above the southern sky
the big curve
Uluru, the red Ayers Rock
and the enormous shared commitment
to the earth and to humanity:
this is Australia's symbol of identity.
This is Australia's own flag.
The Uluru flag can be flown upside down -
or downside up, for those who wrongly consider "down under" as an insult.
The southern cross does not stand
for Australia's identity alone
because it is a constellation for all of the southern hemisphere including Chile, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, Angola, Namibia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zambia, Rhodesia, Botswana, Seychelles, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti and New Zealand.
Australia's flag must be original
and basically different from that of other nations.
Australia's flag cannot be merely the result
of a sterile and cold graphic design.
Australia's flag must be inherent
to the identity, trust, life and love
of the whole nation and all its people.
Australia's flag must carry the message
of this huge continent in a higher dimension
reflecting the great destiny of Australia,
foreseeing the importance of Australia
as a world power.
It is Australia holding the earth.
Written in 1986/1998. The manifesto accompanies the flag design for Australia.
Published in:
Brochure The Uluru Flag, 1986/1998
Schmied, Wieland (ed.): Hundertwasser 1928–2000, Catalogue Raisonné.Vol. II: Fürst, Andrea Christa: Catalogue Raisonné. Cologne: Taschen, 2002, pp. 1067-1068 (German and English, excerpt)
Schurian, Walter (ed.): Hundertwasser – Schöne Wege, Gedanken über Kunst und Leben. (Beautiful Paths – Thoughts on Art and Life) Munich: Langen Müller, 2004, pp. 185-187 (German) and pp. 341-342 (Original English version)
Hundertwasser. New York: Parkstone Press International, 2008, pp. 114 - 115