Geneva is famous as a place which International conferences are often held such as those organized by UN. These 'international conferences' and 'communication' are important in terms of 'Universal Human Rights'. In fact, when 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights' was adapted in Paris in 1948, its first meeting was held in Geneva. I thought that Geneva was deeply related to 'Human Rights' and 'Communication' in this sense. In addition, the former self of Geneva University, where I actualized this project, is college de Calvin established by Calvin. He criticized 'Indulgence' which treated people as a 'money-making instrument' and got Christianity back to people's side. He established Geneva University, where he aimed to spread the idea of 'religion for the people' in place of 'people for the religion'. In other words, Geneva University has been playing a role as a fortress to protect 'Human Rights' from the very beginning. University is a place for education. I have been thinking the purpose of education is to make people understand 'the idea of human rights' which protect 'human beings'. University is also a place to learn 'harmony' and 'communication' among human beings. That is what education is for, and what knowledge is for. I also think the art is one liberal education. Therefore I decided 'Universal Human Rights' as the concept for this project. I hope that teachers and students from all over the world and every Geneva citizen will think about 'the idea of human rights' once more again through this work of art.

'Counter Gadget' was made in Geneva for this special reason. This 'Counter Gadget' has a mirror on its surface, which reflects environment around university in daytime. People get different images from it as they are passing by the town. It signifies harmony and communication between human and environment. When it became the night, sparkling digits start counting time. The speed of each digit is authorized by 222 Geneva citizen and associates from Geneva University, all of who were selected by a lottery. These digits count time endlessly in the building of Uni Dufour with different rhythm created by 222 people. I used red and green LED for 'Counter Gadget'. These colors symbolize "opposition" and "difference". I would like to suggest 'Harmony of Opposition' using these two colors. It is obviously a strong criticism to 'Negative Discrimination '. Each of these 222'Counter Gadgets' is a modern metaphor for 'brightness of Human Life'. It will be the 'brightness of personality' reflecting Geneva citizens' free will and 'Bright Life ' of the people in Geneva. The Glitter is the beauty of people whose human rights are guaranteed. It plays as if the universe played a symphony, reverberating in the whole university where 222 counters were. It will be a song of victory, praising 'Idea of Human Rights'. Immanuel Kant said in the 'Critique of practical reason',

'There are two things which imbue the mind with a feeling of admiration and reverence, our thoughts are occupied with them: the start-clad sky there above us, and the moral low within ourselves.'

This work was entitled as 'Fortress of Human Rights', in a hope that Geneva University and each of those who come to this place would respect 'Harmony', 'Communication' and 'Idea of Human Rights'.

5 / 1995

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