Broken Chair, Wooden sculpture at Place des Nations, Switzerland
Description
Broken Chair is a wooden sculpture at Place des Nations in Geneva, rising 12 meters tall and weighing roughly 5.5 tonnes. The work displays three complete legs while the fourth appears severed, taking the form of an oversized piece of furniture.
History
Daniel Berset created the work in 1997 while groups pushed for completion of the Ottawa Treaty, which called for a global ban on antipersonnel landmines. The chair stayed in place after the treaty was signed, serving as a visible reminder of international agreements against these weapons.
Culture
The sculpture takes its name from a deliberate detail pointing to people injured by mines who depend on assistance. Today the chair forms part of daily life around the square, with passersby seeing it as a steady presence between the buildings of international organizations and using the forecourt for meetings or breaks.
Practical
The square in front of the work is reachable by tram and bus, laid out flat all around so orientation is easy. The sculpture stands in the open and remains visible at all hours, with the open space providing enough distance for photos.
Did you know?
The construction uses wood rather than metal, which is unusual for a work this size and requires regular maintenance to withstand wind and rain. The team around Berset assembled the sculpture so it remains stable over time despite the material, distributing its weight of 5.5 tonnes evenly.
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Geneva offers a diverse heritage combining history, science, and nature on the shores of Lake Geneva. The city houses institutions such as the Palace of Nations and CERN, religious buildings like Saint Pierre Cathedral where Calvin preached, as well as cultural spaces like the Patek Philippe Museum...
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