Miquel Barceló Artigues, born in 1957 at Felanitx in Mallorca, is one of the famous spanish contemporary artist of our century. Not only at national level but also international and he received in 2003 the Asturias Prince of Art Prize. Chosen to renovate the Room of the Nation Palace of the UN and of its dome in Geneva, he has created a ceiling which gives an organic sensation (almost physiologic) for a total cost of almost 18,5 million euros !!! 18,5 million euros !!! A lot of money wasted just for that while this money could be spent for other things especially during this crisis period. Ok I agree, he created something wonderful but I think with little less budget, he would be able to do it.

After working during 13 months with his team, using more and less 35.000kg paints of different colors and tons of material developed especially to simulate stalactites and waves, the new room of Council of Human Rights has been inaugurated november 18th 2008 by Juan Carlos I (King of Spain) and Ban Ki-moon (Secretary General of UN) in front of 700 guests.

Moreover, to finance this budget, one part of the 500.000 euros destined to the Help Fund of Development has been used. It means that some spanish communities, who needed this money to improve the life of its citizens, will never see it. In fact, 40% from the Government and 60% from private companies of the ONUART foundation.

Too much money spent for this artwork, of course you can say that art cannot be compared to money or art is priceless but even if art is art, I will say there is some limit because with few things, you can create beautiful and wonderful masterpiece.

For example, Ruby the elephant or Betsy the ape – 2 famous animal painters who sell millions of dollars for their paintings !!! For some people they are talented but not for me, i don’t find anything particular and they don’t enter in my definition of art. Well just to say that we don't need to be a genius to be an artist.

November 21, 2008

 

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