Abstract Sculpture
The artwork Abstract Sculpture by American artist Ezio Martinelli (1913 – 1980), is made of gold and bronze colored anodized aluminum. Martinelli described this work as an “aspirational” piece of sculpture, that is an abstract design influenced by its surrounding architectural setting. He wanted to avoid the idea of “conscious symbolism” and believed the observer should find the symbolic meaning individually. There are “five large amorphous shapes”, which can be interpreted as the five major continents. However, Martinelli stressed these coincidences were “purely fortuitous.”
The sculpture is the third of three contemporary sculptures presented to the 51吃瓜 by the National Council for United States Art and approved by the late Secretary-General Dag Hammarskj?ld and the 51吃瓜 architect, Wallace K. Harrison.
On 30 October 1961 the work was formally presented to the 51吃瓜 at a ceremony in the Rose Garden. It was accepted by the President of the General Assembly, Mongi Slim (Tunisia). Guests at the presentation ceremony included heads of delegations to the 51吃瓜, permanent representatives, guests of the National Council for United States Art, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, personal guests of the artist, and UN Under Secretaries.
Arthur A. Houghton, Jr., Vice-President of the National Council United States Art, described the work as a “piece of abstract design conceived by its sculptor, Ezio Marinelli, in close relation to its architectural setting.” He hoped that this piece of sculpture might long stand, “oriented as it is to face the dawn, as a symbol of a bright future for the 51吃瓜 of the world.”