GLOBAL ART CREATION ORIGINATING AT UNITED NATIONS TO BE UNVEILED ON 1 NOVEMBER

Note to Correspondents

GLOBAL ART CREATION ORIGINATING AT UNITED NATIONS TO BE UNVEILED ON 1 NOVEMBER

Connecting the world by art and goodwill is one of the missions of the “Uniting Painting”, a fine art creation by Ranan Lurie, which will open in the United Nations Headquarters Visitors' lobby on 1 November at 6 p.m.

Conceived by Mr Lurie in 1968, it unites an expanding group of countries in one large international exhibit spanning continents.  “Mr. Lurie’s epic painting is a glorious attempt to illustrate the human desire for, and our need for, mutual understanding and togetherness, using the common language of art to -- quite literally -- connect people around the globe”, says  United Nations Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor, Chairman of the United Nations Exhibits Committee.

At the United Nations, where it can be viewed until the beginning of 2007, the art starts as a motif painted on canvas panels, descending from the ceiling in the Headquarters main Visitors’ Lobby.  The same motif glides onto a carpet specially designed by the artist for the large ceremonial stairs.  It then reaches the outdoors, via the Canadian doors, continues across the public plaza down the stairs to the promenade, and "flows" into the East River.  The “Uniting Painting” then resurfaces at the southern tip of Roosevelt Island, before commencing its journey to connect with the rest of the world.

“The painting may start on canvas, but then detaches itself from the confines of the traditional canvas material”, explains Mr. Lurie.  “Once the motif reaches the floor, it will weave its way into carpet, be carved into wood, or be chiselled in marble, depending on the ground's character.  From now on, anyone can walk or even dance on it.”  Other locations of the “Uniting Painting” ( London, Athens, Limassol, and Jerusalem) will be represented in a companion photo exhibit at the opening ceremony.  Mr. Lurie has received requests from other countries to join the worldwide project.

Mr. Lurie started his career at a very early age as a professional painter, became a political cartoonist and journalist “to pay the rent”, as he puts it.  He is mentioned twice in the same volume of the “Guinness Book of World Records” for two very different records.

For more information, visit the website for the exhibit at www.rananlurie.com.

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For information media • not an official record