FLEUROP is a new guide to deciphering the 'Fleurop list', showing photos of fake plants with their corresponding national flag ribbons.
The 'Fleurop list' is a list of codenames used by the German secret service, the BND, to identify friendly countries that it spied on using plant names (which recently caused a major scandal).
This list shows how everyone in Europe has always spied on everyone else. It also shows clichés and images used at the highest level between states: Why is the code name for Turkey a hemp plant, but the code name for the US a flowering hydrangea?
Because of its floridity, this list was internally called the "Fleurop list" in intelligence circles – after the well-known florist from the Internet. The name thus brings a pop and commercial world touch to the world of state secrets. In the photo series, the various countries are presented with artificial plants and are portrayed drippingly beautiful in the photo studio: Fake flowers, like fake names as an image for a (secret) artificial second world that is above what is publicly known. This world mixes in the events of the world every day and leaves its footprints. The sashes in the national flags are reminiscent of the wreaths and flowers and flower arrangements in memory of important events.
Artist: Sebastian Utzni
Design: Jan Steinbach, Edition Taube
