The the six and a half meter-long installation, designed by Snøhetta, and realized with the materials supplied by Hydro and the final construction of the piece completed by Vestre, has a simple arc shape, as a partial circle, that touchs the ground at its lowest point, and built from anodized aluminum.
The gentle arc of the bench, anchored in the middle with the ends gently rising up like the corners of a smile, pulls those sitting on it closer together, subsequently and subtly encouraging dialogue.
The gentle arc of the bench, anchored in the middle with the ends gently rising up like the corners of a smile, pulls those sitting on it closer together, subsequently and subtly encouraging dialogue.
«The foremost precondition for peace is bringing people together. We believe in using design as a tool to create lasting symbols that foster fruitful communication.”
Snøhetta founder Kjetil Trædal Thorsen.
The Best Weapon, was first unveiled at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on Nelson Mandela Day, July 18th. The installation will remain at the Headquarters’ plaza through October 15th, when it will be transferred to Oslo to its permanent location near the Nobel Peace Center and the Oslo City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually.
The installation is situated at the main entry to the UN Headquarters Plaza, next to the famous Non-Violence sculpture – a oversized Colt revolver cast in bronze, with a knotted barrel and the muzzle pointing upwards. The sculpture, popularly known as “the knotted gun” was created in 1993 by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd as a response to the murder of singer-songwriter and peace activist John Lennon. Since then, the knotted gun has become a global symbol of non-violence. Sited in such a prominent location both symbolically and physically, The Best Weapon takes on multiple valences through this dialogue with its neighbor.
The six-and-a-half meter-long installation is made from anodized aluminum from Hydro. The aluminum is the world’s greenest with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions than the industry average. In addition to creating a beautiful surface, the anodized finish of the bench has high corrosion resistance and protection against scratching. The installation is produced by Vestre in a completely carbon-neutral process. Bead-blasted and pre-distressed, the sturdy material will ensure the bench’s longevity, promoting diplomacy and dialogue for many years to come.
