WIPO Hosts Art Exhibit Loaned by Geneva Fund

Geneva, April 30, 1999
Press Releases PR/1999/169

Select art works from the collection of the Geneva Cantonal Fund for Decorative and Visual Arts are to be placed on public display at the Geneva headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This is the first such collaboration between the Fund and an international organization in Geneva on this large scale.

WIPO Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris, and the President of the Fund, Mr. Laurent Moutinot, welcomed this partnership as a positive step towards bringing the international organizations closer to the local community and making visual arts more accessible to the public. Dr. Idris said, "We are delighted and honored to be able to display this impressive collection of contemporary works of art at WIPO." He added, "It is only fitting that WIPO, which promotes the protection of cultural and artistic creativity, should collaborate with the Cantonal Fund to bring to the public eye works by talented contemporary artists." Such works show how intellectual property beautifies our surroundings and enriches our life. Mr. Moutinot praised WIPO's willingness to support it in its efforts to promote contemporary visual arts. He said "this collaboration between WIPO and the Cantonal Fund is a perfect opportunity to present the works of contemporary Geneva-based artists to members of the public and to the wider international community".

The Cantonal Fund which is responsible for promoting and encouraging the visual arts at the regional level, lends art works to local public institutions. Up to 90% of the collection, which features contemporary artists from different countries, is displayed in this way. It's association with WIPO reflects the Cantonal Government's desire to create stronger bonds with the Geneva-based international community.

The selection of works to be displayed at WIPO is made up of paintings by some 20 artists. The exhibition will consist mainly of abstract paintings but will also include examples of other expressions of contemporary art.

The official opening of the exhibit will take place on May 3, 1999, at a ceremony to be attended by Dr. Idris, Mr. Moutinot, Geneva Government officials and members of the diplomatic and artistic communities. A parallel exhibition of silkscreen prints commissioned and edited by the Italian artist, Gianni Motti, author of the contemporary art display forum known as "In Vitro" featuring the work of young artists from all corners of the world, will also be opened on this occasion. This exhibition, which will be displayed in the mezzanine gallery of the WIPO building, will run until June 4, 1999.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO:

Tel: (+41 22) 338 81 61 (+41 22) 338 95 47
Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10
E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int