For the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the Swiss government donated to the UN in Geneva an eco-friendly ephemeral work of art spanning 6000 square meters on the grounds of the historic Palais des Nations. The work has been spray-painted with biodegradable materials on a grass lawn at the UN’s European headquarters by the French-born artists SAYPE (a contraction of “Say Peace”).
Entitled "World in Progress", the giant grass fresco shows two children building a circle of humans holding hands in nature, evoking the collective construction of a better future.
SAYPE, which is the nom d’art of 31-year old artist Guillaume Legros, had this to say:
“One of the things that I try to respect systematically is to approach problems in a positive and optimistic way, because I believe that we are constantly advancing in the direction we are looking at, and then I like to tell myself that the more I look at optimistic and positive things, the more we will ultimately go towards optimistic and positive things. Afterwards I organize a photo shoot, I work based on photos, I do sketches by hand, I mix a lot of things together and then I start in."
SAYPE creates monumental frescoes on grass and on the ground. He is the inventor of an eco-responsible paint composed of chalk and charcoal, and a recognized pioneer of an artistic movement linking “street art” to “land art”. A pioneer of the global contemporary art scene, his unique pieces can only be appreciated for a short time – then they disappear into nature without leaving any trace.
“Here is an artwork that represents two children who ultimately drew their ideal world, and then suddenly in this ideal world we see a human chain of people holding hands, but also animals -- because I think really, finally, ecology must also be at the center of our reflection on our connection to the world and to nature”.
His approach and his innovative technique earned him in 2019 the nomination by the magazine Forbes as one of the thirty most influential young people in the field of art and culture. His poetic and ephemeral works have influenced audiences around the world with a greater respect for nature.
"I strongly believe that it is together that humanity must respond to the different challenges it will have to overcome and this can be done only together”, he said.
“I believe that in the current world, that is hyper-connected, it won’t work to think that you can bury your head in the sand like an ostrich or to be closed. I really believe that the only solution is a common solution and that’s why I’m also very honored to be here at the UN because in the end this is what the UN means to me: a kind of a round table where we come to discuss major issues that humanity goes through. I firmly believe that it is a solution in itself, it is even a necessity. "
The symbol of the world of tomorrow seen by two children is to serve as a reminder to present generations of their duty towards those to come. In order not to lose sight of the bright ideal of peace and mutual aid between nations will go hand in hand with the preservation of the world environmental heritage. All these values are fundamental to the artist’s philosophy developed in recent years and form the core of the theme for this anniversary date.
“In the end, this artwork is a gift from Switzerland which will be represented by Mr. Cassis for the 75th anniversary of the UN and International Geneva. So it’s true, I’m very, very honored to represent Switzerland at this moment”, SAYPE said.
Speaking at a press conference to inaugurate the gift, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said that “No country can face problems alone. I am thinking especially of the current pandemic. We need a place where leaders and countries can come to discuss and resolve problems together. For us that place is the UN.”
During an official ceremony at the Ariana Park at the UN, the Director General of the United Nations in Geneva, Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, valued in her speech the work of the artist SAYPE. “Thank you SAYPE, for your respect for the environment while using nature as the canvass of your beautiful work. This artwork is not designed to last, but we must never forget that the impact of our actions can be long-lasting, not only on the environment but also on society.”
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF , WHO
Two years of Gaza-Israel war bring ‘indescribable’ pain: UN humanitarians
Two years since the Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel, UN humanitarians on Tuesday reiterated calls for the release of all hostages in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire and an aid surge to alleviate Palestinians’ suffering, as talks on a US-driven peace plan continued in Egypt.
1
1
1
Edited News
Syria prison survivor seeks justice for the missing with UN backing.
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday warned that three and a half years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has entered an even more dangerous and deadly stage for Ukrainian civilians, under relentless bombardment of their schools, hospitals, and shelters.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF , WHO , ICRC
Quadcopter victims, terror and death: 30 minutes in a Gaza hospital
UN aid teams on Friday highlighted the disturbing situation in Gaza’s makeshift hospitals, where premature babies cry for scant oxygen and medics attempt to save child survivors targeted by airstrikes in their tents and quadcopter victims reportedly shot while fetching bread.
2
1
2
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday delivered his oral update to the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session on the human rights situation in Haiti.
The High Commissioner welcomed Wednesday’s decision of the UN Security Council to strengthen the Multinational Security Support mission by transitioning to the Gang Suppression Force for Haiti, stating it is a strong signal of international support for the Haitian people.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF
Gaza: As world waits for US peace plan news, UN aid teams stress need for ceasefire
UN agencies reiterated calls for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza on Tuesday to help alleviate Palestinian suffering, as a new US 20-point plan raised hopes of a halt to the fighting.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO
The ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza City continues to overwhelm the war-torn enclave’s medical professionals, with four more hospitals forced to shut down this month alone, the UN World Health Organization said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
A UN Human Rights report released today details the dire situation of thousands of civilians detained since Russia’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine in 2022.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO , UNICEF
Sudan war: Life-saving cholera vaccination campaign begins in Darfur
Amid the devastating war in Sudan, UN aid teams are overcoming major obstacles to curb a cholera outbreak claiming lives across the country, with young children particularly at risk.
2
1
2
Edited News , B-roll | UN WOMEN
Women and girls still reeling from Afghanistan's recent deadly earthquake face even greater suffering rebuilding their lives and livelihoods without much more help from the international community, UN Women said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
Rising civilian casualties, growing ethnic violence and the grim humanitarian situation in Sudan underscore how the crisis there is deepening, according to a UN Human rights report published today.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNITED NATIONS
United Nations agencies staff demonstrates on Place des Nations in Geneva to denounce the killing of their colleagues in Gaza.