This was taken at the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art in
Staten Island, New York. This location is said to have one of the world's largest collections of Tibetan artwork and artifacts outside of Tibet.
I was told that the colorful flags hanging throughout the grounds of this museum are called "Tibetan prayer flags" (lung ta).
Their purpose is to help spread peace, compassion, strength and wisdom. Tibetans believe that their prayers and mantras printed on these flags will be blown by the wind and spread throughout its surrounding area.
The prayers of these individual flags become a permanent part of the universe as the images fade from exposure to the elements. Just as new life replaces old, Tibetans believe their goodwill for the world is rejuvinated by attaching new flags alongside the old ones.