Press release -
The Knotted Gun being exhibited for the first time in Geneva
Geneva, 5th September 2022
The Non-Violence Project Foundation is thrilled that a replica of the Knotted Gun, an international symbol of peace and logo of the Foundation, has been exhibited for the first time in Geneva, a city hosting many international organizations striving for peace and the Foundation’s headquarters. The Knotted Gun’s replicas are displayed in more than 30 locations around the world. The art piece delivering a powerful message of non-violence, will be on display on the Ile Rousseau until the end of September as part of sculpturegarden, the Geneva Biennale art event.
The Knotted Gun, a powerful symbol of peace and logo of the Non-Violence Project Foundation (NVPF)
The ‘Non-Violence’ sculpture, also known as the Knotted Gun, was created by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd after John Lennon’s tragic death in 1980 to honor the singer’s vision of a peaceful world. Initially exhibited in the Strawberry Fields memorial in Central Park, a bronze version of the sculpture was unveiled in 1988 in front of the United Nations’ headquarters where it still stands.
At the 10th anniversary of its unveiling, Kofi Annan, former UN General Secretary and Peace Nobel Laureate stated: “the Non-Violence sculpture has not only endowed the UN with a cherished work of art. It has also enriched the consciousness of humanity with a powerful symbol that encapsulates the greatest prayer of a man which asks not for victory but for peace.”
The Knotted Gun’s replicas in 30 locations around the world. Geneva hosting it for the first time
The Knotted Gun’s replicas are on display in many cities around the world as Stockholm, Berlin, Beirut and Los Angeles just to name a few. It is the first time that the City of Geneva hosts one. “
Geneva is the perfect city in terms of symbols” declared Jan Hellman, Co-founder of the Non-Violence Project Foundation. “The presence of many international organizations and NGO as ours striving for peace and fundamental rights totally makes sense with the display of the Knotted Gun. We hope that all the international community living in the city and all the visitors will embrace the powerful message of the artpiece in such an inspiring location as Geneva”.
Partnership with Artgeneve and sculpturegarden
The Non-Violence Project Foundation (NVPF), which mission is to promote education and awareness to stem violence, is thrilled to pursue the partnership initiated earlier in 2022 with ARTGENEVE. During the February artfair edition, some iconic versions of the Knotted Gun such as Ringo Starr’s “Drums for Peace” and “One World” from Joahn Ernst Nilson, two NVPF Peace Ambassadors, were displayed attracting a lot of interest.
Blaise Oberson, the NVPF’ CEO stated “we are extremely grateful to Artgeneve for their support. Art is a major component of our activity since, on top of education, we use the knotted gun to raise awareness on violence prevention. Enabling the Foundation to exhibit our symbol at sculpturegarden, contributes to attract people’s attention to a major societal and currently burning issue”.
For more information about the Knotted Gun's story please visit
The knotted gun - The Non-Violence Project Foundation (nonviolence.com)
For more information about sculpturegarden visit sculpturegarden - Geneva Biennale
Cities for peace: to find out some of the cities hosting a replica of the Non-Violence sculpture click below
MEDIA CONTACTS
Sophie Ryan – sophie.ryan@nonviolence.com - + 33 6 50 78 35 11
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ABOUT THE NON-VIOLENCE PROJECT FOUNDATION
The Non-Violence Project Foundation is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Geneva and created in 1993 with the mission to inspire, motivate and engage people in order to prevent and reduce violence. The Foundation uses education and awareness raising to promote social change. Over 9 million people on 6 continents have attended NVP educational programs since 1993.
For more information, please visit www.nonviolence.com
