The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
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.”
- Drone shot: UN Palais des Nations with artwork
- SOUNDBITE (FR) – SAYPE, artist : “Une des choses que j’essaie de respecter systématiquement c’est d’aborder les problématiques de manière positive et optimiste, parce que je crois qu’on avance tout le temps dans la direction à laquelle on regarde, et puis j’aime bien me dire plus je regarde sur les choses optimistes et positives, plus on ira finalement vers les choses optimistes et positives. Et puis j’organise un photo shooting, je travaille à base de photo, je fais des sketches à la main, je fais un mélange de plein de choses et puis après j’attaque ».Translation: “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 attack."
- Close up, hands
- SOUNDBITE (FR) - SAYPE, artist: “Ici c’est une fresque qui représente deux enfants, qui ont dessiné finalement leur monde idéal, et puis du coup dans ce monde idéal on voit une farandole d’êtres humains qui se tiennent la main, mais aussi des animaux parce que je pense vraiment que finalement l’écologie doit être aussi au centre de notre réflexion sur notre lien au monde et à la nature ».Translation:“Here is an artwork that represents two children who ultimately drew their ideal world, and then suddenly in this ideal world we see a farandole of human beings 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”.
- Medium shot, Saype spraying in the grass
- SOUNDBITE (FR) – SAYPE, artist: “Je suis intimement persuadé que c’est ensemble que l’humanité doit répondre aux différents défis qu’elle aura à surmonter et uniquement ensemble. Je crois que cette une vue de l’esprit à un moment donné dans un monde qui est hyper connecté de croire que de faire la technique de l’autruche ou de s’enfermer un peu sur soi-même on trouvera une solution. Je crois vraiment que la solution est uniquement commune et du coup c’est d’ailleurs pour ça aussi je suis hyper honoré d’être ici à l’ONU parce que finalement ça représente un peu ça pour moi l’ONU. C’est-à-dire une sorte de table ronde, ou on vient discuter des grands problématiques que peut traverser l’humanité. Je suis intimement persuadé que c’est une solution en soi, c’est même une nécessité. » Translation: “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 in on yourself. 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.
- Wide shot, UN flag with artwork and UN Palais in background
- SOUNDBITE (FR) –SAYPE, artist: “Cet œuvre finalement c’est le cadeau de la Suisse qui sera d’ailleurs représenté par Monsieur Cassis pour le 75 ans de l’ONU et de la Genève internationale. Donc c’est vrai, je suis très très honoré de représenter la Suisse à ce moment-là ». Translation “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.”
- Close up: Spraying in grass
- SOUNDBITE (FR) – Ignazio Cassis, Swiss Federal Councilor and head of the Department of Foreign Affairs
- “Pour marquer cet anniversaire, la Suisse a l’honneur d’offrir à l’office des Nations Unies ici à Genève une fresque éphémère et biodégradable de l’artiste Saype » Translation “To mark this anniversary, Switzerland has the honor of offering to the United Nations office here in Geneva an ephemeral and biodegradable fresco by the artist Saype"
- Wide Shot Press Room
- SOUNDBITE (FR) – Ignazio Cassis, Swiss Federal Councilor and head of the Department of Foreign Affairs: “Aucun pays peut faire face seul au défis d’aujourd’hui. Je pense notamment à la pandémie actuelle. Nous avons besoin d’un endroit ou des solutions communes sont trouvés, et pour nous nous cet endroit c’est l’ONU.” Translation “No country can face today’s challenges alone. I am thinking especially of the current pandemic. We need a place where common solutions are found, anf for us for us that place is the UN.”
- Wide shot, reflection in water
- MS Swiss and UN DG and SAYPE react to images on iPad
- SOUNDBITE (EN) – Tatiana Valovaya, Director General of the United Nations Office in Geneva: “Thank you Saype, for your respect for the environment while using nature as the canvass of your beautiful artwork”.
- Zoom out, UN75 watch on child’s hand
- Medium shot, Saype working
- Medium shot, Saype spraying
- Wide shot, Saype spraying T-Shirt of boy
- Wide shot, Saype spraying shoes of boy
- Wide shot, Saype spraying sun
- Wide shot, Saype spraying tree
- Close up, Saype preparing colors
- Close up, Saype mixing colors
- Medium shot, Saype and team member mixing colors
- Close up, pouring color
- Drone shot, sunset on artwork with UN Palais
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