'The Transformative Power of Art' Exhibition Opens at United Nations

The official opening of “The Transformative Power of Art,” an exhibition organized by Sam Kahamba Kutesa, President of the sixty-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly, will take place in the Visitors’ Lobby on Tuesday, 30 June, at 6 p.m.

Through paintings, sculptures, papier mâché and scented dried flowers, “The Transformative Power of Art” embodies the necessity to place people at the centre of our concern while protecting the planet.  The exhibition is part of the United Nations “2015: Time for Global Action” campaign.

During the ceremony, remarks will be made by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, General Assembly President Kutesa, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Cristina Gallach, Curator Fabrizio Ruggiero and noted Chef Babette de Rozières.

The exhibition features sculptures and portraits by Fabrizio Ruggiero and papier mâché by Nina Muzzi.  Ms. Muzzi’s papier mâché pieces resemble sculpted stones but are made with recycled newspapers and cardboard, which in the hands of this environmental artist becomes a new ecological material.  Mr. Ruggiero’s 16 large portraits combine the ancient fresco technique with contemporary technology and depict thinkers and artists from all continents who contributed to the common good of humanity and stood up for the most vulnerable.  The portraits feature:  Pierre-Claver Akendengué (Gabon), Maya Angelou (United States), Joan Baez (United States), Audrey Hepburn (United Kingdom), Vassily Kandinsky (Russian Federation), Umm Kulthum (Egypt), Gong Li (China), Miriam Makeba (South Africa), Edgar Morin (France), Fatemeh Motamed-Arya (Iran), Okot p’Bitek (Uganda), Satyajit Ray (India), Sebastião Salgado (Brazil), Wole Soyinka (Nigeria), Ngugi Wa Thiong’o (Kenya) and Malala Yousafzai (Pakistan).

For information on the artists, please visit www.preciousss.it and www.fabrizioruggiero.it.

For information on United Nations exhibitions, please contact Renata Morteo at tel.: +1 (212) 963-5455, e-mail: morteo@un.org.