Existing comment:
Untitled (Abstract Sculpture)
This piece -- presented together with another piece of contemporary art by Jose de Rivera and Enzo Martinelli -- is part of the general program of the National Council for U.S. Art Inc, an entity organized to place the work of contemporary artists in public buildings in the USA. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold first selected the Cronbach for the Meditation Room and then suggested that the de Rivera be put in his own office. He also proposed that the Martinelli be placed on the outside of the General Assembly Building facing the East River.
Noting that the Cronbach piece was being placed near the Meditation Room Mr. Hammarskjold said: "This part of the building is a peculiar one. It is devoted to the most personal aspects of the United Nations life to private meditation and prayer and to the memory of those who have served the United Nations and died in its service. For that reason I think it is quite proper that this part of the building has not been decorated by this or that government but has been decorated on the basis of private generosity and private initiative. It is the gift of men to men. It is the gift of private persons to private persons within the side framework of the United Nations." |