Artist Barcelo unveils $23 million ceiling at UN: A $23 million ceiling painting featuring hundreds of dangling icicle shapes that has been criticized for its hefty price tag was unveiled Tuesday at the U.N. offices in Geneva.
The 16,000-square-foot (1,500-square-meter) elliptical dome full of bright colors and torn aluminum took over a year to produce and it will grace the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room at the European headquarters of the United Nations.
Spanish abstract artist Miquel Barcelo used more than 100 tons of paint with pigments from all over the world, and worked with architects, engineers and even particle physics laboratories to develop the extra-strength aluminum for the dome.
Foreign Aid Money Spent on $23 Million Art Ceiling at U.N. Human Rights Council: The U.N. Human Rights Council, frequently accused of coddling some of the world's most repressive governments, threw itself a party in Geneva Tuesday that featured the unveiling of a $23 million mural paid for in part with foreign aid funds.
UN art provokes and divides
Controversial UN artwork unveiled: The Spanish Foreign Ministry said the government and private donors helped pay for the artwork.
Of the public money, 500,000 euros (£421,425) came from a budget for overseas development aid and international organizations like the United Nations.
The Popular Party said that meant money which should have been spent on alleviating poverty was instead used to pay Barcelo.
United Nations in Geneva Presents Miquel Barcelo's Dome at the Palace of Nations
King Juan Carlos of Spain Says Barcelo's Dome for the U.N. is "Doubtless Creative Beauty"
