Kevin Helas: The art of not peaking too soon

Opinion

So here we are. Myself, along with perhaps a good portion of the country, wait with bated breath to hear the results of a meeting between Prime Minister John Key and the Labour leader Andrew Little, to see if the Red Peak design becomes a wildcard fifth entry, Or possibly even nudging out one of Kyle Lockwood's colourways to become a genuine fourth contender. Here's hoping.

The emergence of the Red Peak design has come as a saving grace in this whole process - an example of a flag that meets the criteria of the Flag Consideration Panel in its simplicity, elegance and most crucially, resonance. Somehow, it escaped the attention of the panel charged with identifying such characteristics initially, but it has already passed a true(r) test of its merits - the ability to capture the hearts and minds of New Zealanders.

A visit to the pages of the Red Peak facebook page, or a trawl through any other social media waters, will reveal a huge outpouring of tangible support for this motif, in ways which could not have been foreseen. Rowan Simpson has mobilised the groundswell of public support, first by writing a blog which articulated his own thoughts about the design, and was then involved (with Catherine Wilson) in organising a petition which rapidly gathered 50,000 signatures.

I'll be completely honest, at first I was slightly underwhelmed by the design. It was not familiar to me, as a representation of New Zealand, or what New Zealand stood for. I was still smarting from the results of the Flag Consideration Panels' process, (and my own designs' exclusion from the shortlist) and bemoaning the paucity of the final selection of 3, sorry, 4 designs which smacked of conservatism, amateurism, and lets face it, crony-ism.

Quite possibly, these designs were ones pre-ordained to have considerable popular support, together with the support of our Prime Minister John Key and latterly none other than our esteemed All Blacks captain (Sir) Richie McCaw. If we were in Italy, it would be the equivalent of the Pope's blessing. Along with Berlusconi.

The process itself now appears to be not-so-much designed to unearth an inspiring design solution, but to come up with alternatives to 'get the new flag over the line,' in a winner-takes-all battle with the encumbent. Of course flags which represent familiar icons would be more likely to find favour with the general population, and hence more likely to lead to the desired result - a change of flag in the final referendum. A touch cynical? Perhaps. But John Key can be credited as being particularly savvy about the workings of the democratic process. Appealing to a larger demographic makes complete sense in this context and contest.

Over time, the Red Peak has grown on me. The elegance and simplicity of the design is captivating. It's certainly easy to reproduce. The old 'so easy a child could draw it' test is passed hands down. Its simple, abstract form belies a complexity. It invites enquiry, engagement and intrigue, like all the very best designs do. It manages to combine three colours (ok, four if you include white) which are each in their way deeply significant to Maori and European symbology, and synonymous with flag design.

The design sits comfortably within the international flag design lexicon, while managing to appear unique and distinctive sitting alongside other national flags.

Strangely, the Red Peak is not overtly familiar as a New Zealand symbol, but surely has the potential to become one. It literally points upwards to the future, while connecting with the past. In doing so, it pays tribute to the spiritual beliefs of the indigenous people of Aotearoa, the Maori, and an understanding which is accessible and relevant to all New Zealanders. It is one of the few flag designs to emerge which references the creation story of Papatuanuku (Mother Earth) and Ranginui (Father Sky), or at least has prompted some discussion around it. This is a foundation of not just Maori but New Zealand culture, which demands inclusion, or at least consideration.

Could this be a reason why the Red Peak design is imbued with a certain resonance, and created the response it has? That it captures messages, or meanings, that have a deeper emotional and spiritual connection to us as New Zealanders, even if perhaps we cannot quite put a finger on them? Perhaps it takes us into a deeper and richer realm than those opened up by icons or symbols such as the silver fern, or the koru.

I am hopeful that Red Peak emerges from the pack, much in the way the Canadian Maple Leaf design did in its day, to be a candidate in the final referendum, and with luck, become the design chosen to grace the Waitangi flagpole.

It's the one design that has emerged (inadvertently) through the flag submission process which truly captures something of the spirit of our nation, and our people - displaying clear links to the past, while looking forward to the future. Regardless, I'm quietly chuffed that the emergence of the Red Peak itself represents a victory of the spirit over bureaucracy, and an illustration of how the new form of democracy (in the guise of the internet, and social media) can make a significant contribution to a design and selection process.

Kevin Helas is a NZ born, London-based artist, designer, and illustrator. He completed a design degree in NZ before heading to London to complete an MA in communication design at Central Saint Martins.

The above article is an edited version of a piece that appeared on Kevin Helas' website.