The Picasso cover up
James Holland | 05.02.2003 16:14
A tapestry version of Pablo Picasso's powerful anti war picture "Guernica" hangs, appropriately, in the United Nations headquarters in New York, right outside the security council chamber. However, when delegates arrived to hear Hans Blix's weapons inspection report, some of whom have already decided on war, it was a surprise to see that the picture had been covered by a blue banner with the UN logo on it.
Abdellatif Kabbaj, the UN's PR person explained "It's only temporary. We're only doing this until the cameras leave," apparently it's more 'appropriate' for people planning a war to be photographed in front of a neutral background.
However it seems that it's all a question of timing - it is acceptable when you're only discussing the aftermath of a war you have already waged, as the covers were removed the next day when the council was due to discussed the newly liberated and prosperous Afghanistan.
However it seems that it's all a question of timing - it is acceptable when you're only discussing the aftermath of a war you have already waged, as the covers were removed the next day when the council was due to discussed the newly liberated and prosperous Afghanistan.
James Holland
e-mail:
james@a16.org.uk
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