Denmark transfers ownership of giant Symbolic Globe sculpture to UNESCO
Denmark’s Minister for Children and Education, Christine Antorini, on 27 October transferred ownership to UNESCO of The Symbolic Globe, a giant spherical structure designed by Danish civil engineer Erik Reitzel, renowned for his pioneering work on minimal structures.
In an informal ceremony in front of the spherical aluminium structure, the Minister declared she was happy Denmark could hand the sculpture to UNESCO where everybody thinks it belongs.
The Symbolic Globe has stood in the Piazza of UNESCO’s Headquarters since 1995, when Denmark lent it to the Organization as part of its 50th anniversary celebration.
The 12.8 metre-high Symbolic globe consists of 10 000 ultra-resistant aluminium rods and joints assembled over six days by delegates to the 1995 World Summit for Social Development, which took place in Copenhagen. It was intended to symbolize their commitment to development through diversity and dialogue. Since then it has become a Paris landmark associated with UNESCO’s presence in the French capital city.
The Symbolic Globe can be considered as the most visible work of art at UNESCO Headquarters. Almost equally visible is another donation from Denmark, a 5.5m tall sculpture in red iron and bronze by Danish artist Robert Jacobsen (1912 – 1993).
Ms Antorini was at UNESCO to attend the 36th session of the Organization’s General Conference. She handed over ownership of the work in the presence of Ambassador Poul Erik Dam Kristensen, Permanent Representative of Denmark to UNESCO
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