The “Rebirth”
Michelangelo Pistoletto for the UN's 70th Anniversary
UNITED NATIONS’ 70th ANNIVERSARY
The "Rebirth"
by Michelangelo Pistoletto
 
 
 24th October 2015

 United Nations, Geneva 

 
The Palais des Nations, home of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), opens its doors to the public on Saturday, 24 October 2015, to mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations.
 
A highlight of the day is the inauguration, at twelve noon in the United Nations Park, of a new work of art by renowned Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto.
The sculpture "Rebirth" based on the infinity symbol, is composed of 193 stones representing the United Nations’ current Member States.
The ceremony will see the participation of Michael Møller, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, and representatives from all the Member States and the civil society.
 
For the 70th anniversary of the United Nations the "Rebirth" is in the sign of a new beginning. The Rebirth Symbol embodies the purpose and mission of the UN: finding a balance between diverging ideas, creating a new world of harmony through a dialogue of opposites, inspiring alternative ways of governance and politics, and promoting inclusive and sustainable development.
 
For 70 years the United Nations have been committed to facing the challenges related to the development of a constantly changing globalized world in the most effective ways, remaining faithful to their ideas and principles. Hence the idea of using a symbol of “rebirth” to convey the intention of starting a new journey for peace, human rights and well being.
 
The "Rebirth", Michelangelo Pistoletto
 
A Symbol for the UN’s 70th Anniversary: a news start
The symbol, elaborated by Michelangelo Pistoletto, represents the “rebirth” of society, a new world in which a dialogue between the opposites is fostered, and balance and harmony are reached.
It stems from a reconfiguration of the mathematical symbol of infinity. In this instance, three circles are drawn: the two opposite circles represent the world of nature and the world of technology, developed by humans through a process that has now reached global proportions; the middle circle is the conjunction of the two and represents the generative womb of a new world, the “rebirth”. This new world is the ideal place where technology and nature meet in harmony, and it is reached through the efforts of humans working together to bridge differences, find sustainable development, promote peace and create dialogue.
 
The installation "Rebirth" will be permanently positioned in the Ariana Park at the Palais des Nations to represent all the UN Member States and will mark an important and symbolic moment of rebirth of the Palace and of what it represents for global diplomacy, peace and development.
 
193 stones representing the 193 Member States of the United Nations.
The sculpture is made of 193 stones, representing the UN Member States. The stones, coming from the various different countries, have been selected for their natural characteristics and vary, depending on their provenance, in appearance and colour.
Each stone carries the name of the country it represents engraved.
Michelangelo Pistoletto has relied on the Apuan workshop Laboratori Artistici Nicoli to gather the 193 varieties of marbles, granites, onyxes composing his 55 metres installation. 
 
The work realized by Michelangelo Pistoletto has been donated through the mediation of the Italian Government; a few Ambassadors from the five regions of the United Nations will be promoting the diffusion of its message throughout the world.
 
The inauguration of the installation "Rebirth" is scheduled on October 24 at the Open Day at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Programme of the Open Day

 
 
 
The organizers
The project is an initiative of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations in Geneva.
It is being organized by Cittadellarte-Fondazione Pistoletto and Art for the World.
 
The partners
Partners in the event are: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, State and City of Geneva, CERN, Fondation pour Genève, International School of Geneva, and private sponsors.
 
 
2 DECEMBER 2014: BRIEFING
 
A briefing to prepare the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations in Geneva was held at the Palais des Nations, the UN headquarters in Geneva, on December 2, 2014.