Spanish painter Miquel Barcelo used over 100 tons of pigments from all over the world to make a 16,000-square-foot brightly-colored abstract painting for the United Nations offices in Geneva. “On a day of immense heat in the middle of the Sahel desert, I recall with vivacity the mirage of an image of the world dripping toward the sky,” Barcelo said. “Trees, dunes, donkeys, multi-colored beings flowing drop by drop.” As the work was unveiled, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon thanked Barcelo for putting his “unique talents to work in service of the world”. He added: “The artwork you have created for this room is innovative and radiant. I have no doubt that people will come to see it whether they have business here or not.” The painting, on the ceiling of the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room, has been criticized for it’s $23 million price tag. (via BBC News)

Sharon Butler