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“World in Progress” is a triptych created by French-Swiss land artist Saype. Painted at the U.N. headquarters in Geneva, New York and Nairobi, the three monumental paintings retrace the iterative creation of an ideal world by two children. From drawing to origamis, and ultimately coming to life in Nairobi, the giant biodegradable and ephemeral frescoes are directly painted on the lawn of the United Nations.
As the message of hope, “World in Progress” reminds present generations of their duty to the children of today and the generations to come not to lose sight of peace between nations and the preservation of the world’s environmental heritage.
It all started at the U.N. headquarters in Geneva to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the institution. In June 2020, the realization of “World in progress I” offered an optimistic message while the pandemic revealed the fragility of our societies. The two children draw a farandole that links humans, animals and their environment without borders and discrimination.
An aerial view shows a giant ephemeral landart painting by Swiss French artist Saype entitled “World in Progress” representing two children drawing their ideal world, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype. An aerial view shows a giant ephemeral landart painting by Swiss French artist Saype entitled “World in Progress” representing two children drawing their ideal world, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype.
Created in September 2021 at the United Nations headquarters in New York, “World in Progress II” shows how children build what they had only sketched in the first stage. Using blank sheets of paper, origami folds give shape and form to the dream world of tomorrow. On the other side of the ocean, a universal farandole emerges in the middle of Manhattan’s skyscrapers.
An aerial view shows the giant ephemeral landart painting entitled “World in Progress II” by Swiss-French artist Saype (Guillaume Legros) representing two children drawing and building with origami their ideal world, at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in New York City, USA, Monday, September 13, 2021. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype An aerial view shows the giant ephemeral landart painting entitled “World in Progress II” by Swiss-French artist Saype (Guillaume Legros) representing two children drawing and building with origami their ideal world, at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in New York City, USA, Monday, September 13, 2021. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype
“World in Progress III” by Swiss-French artist Saype is the final step in the series. It represents an ideal world drawn and constructed by two children at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Saype works on his giant ephemeral landart painting entitled “World in Progress III” representing two children drawing and building their ideal world, at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype. Saype works on his giant ephemeral landart painting entitled “World in Progress III” representing two children drawing and building their ideal world, at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, February 24, 2022. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype.
The artwork covering 7,500 square metres was produced with biodegradable paints made from natural pigments such as charcoal and chalk.
Saype works on his giant ephemeral landart painting entitled “World in Progress III” representing two children drawing and building their ideal world, at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, February 24, 2022. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype. 
Saype works on his giant ephemeral landart painting entitled “World in Progress III” representing two children drawing and building their ideal world, at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype. Saype works on his giant ephemeral landart painting entitled “World in Progress III” representing two children drawing and building their ideal world, at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype. Saype works on his giant ephemeral landart painting entitled “World in Progress III” representing two children drawing and building their ideal world, at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype.
The project is supported and gifted by Switzerland to the U.N. to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Thursday, March 3rd, saw the commemoration in the presence of H.E. Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, Under-Secretary-General Zainab Hawa Bangura, Director General of UNON, Under-Secretary-General Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, H.E. Valentin Zellweger, Ambassador of Switzerland and the artist Saype.
Saype works on his giant ephemeral landart painting entitled “World in Progress III” representing two children drawing and building their ideal world, at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, February 25, 2022. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype. Saype works on his giant ephemeral landart painting entitled “World in Progress III” representing two children drawing and building their ideal world, at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, February 25, 2022. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype.
Saype works on his giant ephemeral landart painting entitled “World in Progress III” representing two children drawing and building their ideal world, at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, February 25, 2022. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype. Saype works on his giant ephemeral landart painting entitled “World in Progress III” representing two children drawing and building their ideal world, at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, February 26, 2022. Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype.
Photo credit Valentin Flauraud for Saype
Swiss-French artist Saype (Guillaume Legros) poses in his giant ephemeral landart painting entitled “World in Progress III” representing two children drawing and building their ideal world, at the Headquarters of the United Nations (U.N.) in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, February 23, 2022. The artwork covering 7200 square meters was produced with biodegradable paint made from natural pigments such as charcoal and chalk and constitutes the third and last step of a project started at the U.N. European headquarters in Geneva in 2020, followed by the second step at the NYC U.N. headquarters. The project is supported and gifted by Switzerland to the U.N. for the opening of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 50th anniversary session on March 3 2022. (Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
