Official Gifts – Artwork Tour Group Questions - FAQs
1. A Workshop for Peace
2. Is there romance in the gifts?
There are 2 artworks where the husband is recognizing his life partner and wife, 080g, 148g. There is also real-life couples represented, Chagall window was by married couple Bridget Simon and Charles Marq, as well as Single Form, by Barbara Hepworth and Conf Rm 8 by John Skeaping.
3. What is the newest gift?
We get gifts every year and in 2022 we received, Yemen (337g), Sweden+USA (336g) and India (338g - due end Oct 2022).
4. What is the smallest gift?
The gavel is the smallest and can easily be lifted by hand for show. It packs the biggest punch as it calls all 193 Global attendees to attention for the GA meetings and the President of the GA uses it.
5. What’s the biggest gift?
The 3 main chambers are very large holding over 500 people each. The sculptures in the garden, horse (Peace) & elephant (Sleeping) are quite large.
6. What’s the oldest gift?
There are 2 ancient gifts, 086g (about 4,000 years old) & 102g (about 3,000 years old). Originals and there are plenty of replicas showing ancient items, but these are originals.
7. Do the gifts highlight UN purpose or SDGs?
Yes, there are a few gifts that commemorate the activities of international cooperation when in crisis, 171g or 11g/ declaration of HR, 306g/ Olympic Truce – GA Res, 122g/ youth, 163g/ Chernobyl -GA Res.
8. Which gifts are not often seen or underappreciated?
The 3 main chambers, ECOSC, Trusteeship & SC, are often in use and not often seen in person. The gift of a Gavel (146g) is also in use and not on display.
International cooperation is highlighted by the many outer space equipment or tributes on display. Ancient form of written treaties are also under considered, 68g, 67g, 236g &81g. The Barjil or wind tower(229g) is a demonstration of an ancient machine used for cooling and uses passive energy.
9. Are there gifts from groups that are not Member States?
There are 58 artworks attributed to IFIs, Institutions, Foundations & Individuals.
10. How many MS have given a gift?
There are 128 artworks attributed to UN Member States. There are about 65 MS that have not given an attributed gift. Some Member States have given more than 1 gift.
11. How do donors give the artworks and process of acceptance?
UN has a panel called the Arts Committee that was appointed by the Secretary-General. They have a procedure that can take many months. Basic criteria are,
- Gift offers are considered from Member States.
- AC tries to keep it to 1 gift per MS due to space limitations, but some multiple gifts are grandfathered into the collection.
- They are high artistic merit, relevant to UN purpose & functions.
- Portraits, replicas, & Memorials of individuals are discouraged.
- Installation, insurance & maintenance are borne by donor.
- Copyrights are to be given as well.
12. How many gifts are on display?
Of the 296 artworks, 236 are on display and 60 are in storage. They are in storage due to damaged condition, inappropriate display or style, await disposal due to lack of donor.
13. What to do when you see something damaged?
Staff may contact UN repair personnel in 3 ways:
- Email the FCAS Help Desk staff, unhq-facilities@un.org
- Call 3-7376 and speak to FCAS Help Desk staff
- Speak with someone at the GA info desk, as they are FCAS Help Desk staff