active 2 years, 2 months ago

Base

Name

Craig Hansen

Type of Artist

Spins Flags

My History

How would you describe yourself as a flagger?

As a flagger I have grown so much over the last 2 years. I have become friends with many flaggers from the Boston and New York areas and have spent many evenings with my friends exploring the fine points of this art form. I have learned an incredible amount from my peers and have learned to appreciate the individuality of each person’s abilities.


What is it about flagging that you enjoy the most?

The thing that I enjoy the most about flagging is the discovery. That is, the discovery of movements, techniques, positioning, etc. I most enjoy the self discovery that comes from flagging. I have changed as a person an incredible amount for the better over the last 3 years and genuinely beleive that most was a result of the self-discovery that flagging allowed me.


How long have you been flagging? How did you get started?

I have been flagging for about 3 years…. 2 years seriously. I got started by watching a friend of mine flag for the first time during a NYC Pride party. I was immediately interested and begged to be taught. The rest is history.


What was your first flagging experience?

My first flagging experience was at an Alegria party in NYC, Pride 2001.


What was one of your best flagging experiences?

One of my best flagging experiences was New Years Eve, 2003 at a friends house party where many flaggers from Boston, NYC, and elsewere were invited. I experienced learning many things, exchanging ideas, and meeting many new friends. It was incredible to have so many people lay out thier personal collections of flags and allow each other to experience spinning them. It showed an enormous amount of trust and respect for each other. This is when I knew I was a part of a remarkable group of individuals.


Who has inspired or taught you?

The person who both inspired and taught me to flag was Dennis McCrum of Boston. I saw him flag for the first time almost 4 years ago and was enthralled by the art form and knew then I wanted to learn. Dennis generously "lent" me one of his wonderful sets of flags for me learn on. Dennis showed me the basics of flagging and encouraged me to work with those basics to learn the moves and my individual style. It wasn’t until I met Amanda Fetrow that I really began to take off with my learning abilities. She has been one of my biggest inspirations. She has spent countless hours talking to me and showing me some of the more intricut moves. My partner Jim Shear has kept me going and inspired me to keep learning. Flagging has become one of my greatest loves and I am now the owner of more than 20 sets of my own flags. Thank you Dennis, Amanda, Jim, and Larry.


What was one of your wildest or craziest flagging experiences?

I have to say my wildest flagging experience was attending the Black Party 2004 for the first time and being a part of the flagging community on stage. It was an incredible thrill to meet so many people I had not know before and to be able to express myself with so many others with the same interest.


Do you make your own sets? Can you describe what kind you make?

Thank you Larry Reigal for the many incredible sets of flags and fans you have made for my partner and I.


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