'World in Progress' by artist Saype in Geneva, Switzerland
If you think art belongs only on walls, Swiss-–French artist Saype would like to draw your attention elsewhere—to the ground beneath your feet. In Geneva, Switzerland, he turned an ordinary patch of grass into an extraordinary message with his art, 'World in Progress,' which is featured in today's image. Look more closely, and you'll spot the artist himself posing with his artwork.
Unveiled at the United Nations headquarters at its 75th anniversary in 2020, the piece shows two children lean over a blank page, sketching the world as they dream it could be. It's not painted with regular pigment but with eco-friendly, biodegradable paint made from natural materials like chalk and charcoal.
This artwork is part of Saype's ongoing mission to create giant, ephemeral works that highlight social and environmental themes. The 'World in Progress II' was unveiled in 2021 at the UN Headquarters in New York City, United States. The final instalment of the three-part series was created at the UN headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2022. These sequels reinforce the same idea—that our shared future is a work in progress, built by the hands of the next generation.