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Books: The U.N. Building

When it was completed in 1952 along New York’s East River, The United Nations Building stood as a symbol of world humanitarianism, a beacon of unity after the Second World War. More than 50 years on, the 39-story building is regarded as one of the pinnacles of mid-century modernism. Its magnificent public spaces and assembly halls, as well as its impressive collection of art by Chagall, Henry Moore and many others make it one of the most visited sites in New York.
On the celebration of the United Nations’ 60th anniversary, and before a long period of renovation, this book presents a portrait of this fascinating building. Specially commissioned photography and an illuminating text bring alive the the spaces which have played host to the historic aspirations, speeches, debates and gatherings that have been central to the world’s development since 1945.

“Considered and well-produced … an intelligently observed photo-essay of a working environment”
– The Architects’ Journal

“No one had ever conceived of building a mirror on this scale before, and perhaps no one could guess what an endless series of pictures that mirror would reveal.”
– Lewis Mumford

The U.N. Building, with an essay by Aaron Betsky, Photographs by Ben Murphy, Foreword by Kofi A. Annan
Buy it here: Amazon

Friday, February 27th, 2009

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