The Best Weapon, a bench by Snøhetta designed for peace

The seat designed by Snøhetta and commissioned by Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo will be unveiled on July 18, Nelson Mandela International Day, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Entitled The Best Weapon, the bench pays tribute to those who fought for peace, becoming a symbol of diplomacy and dialogue. The bench is the portion of a circle that converges on the ground at its lowest point and brings people together, suggesting conversation and encounter.

On the surface, Nelson Mandela’s quote that inspired the name of the artwork: "The Best Weapon is to sit down and talk". The installation seems to take this message and translate it into an urban product.
Six and a half metres long, the bench is made of anodized aluminium, a strong material that guarantees durability and resistance, in order to continue dialogue and interaction between those who decide to sit down there. The Best Weapon will be transferred to the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo in September.