Knotted Gun (1988)
A Symbol of Non-Violence Outside the United Nations Headquarter[edit]
The Non-violence sculpture, also known as the knotted gun was designed as a tribute to John Lennon after death. John Lennon is renowned for his advocation for peace and harmony; take his song Imagine - “you make say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one, I hope some day you will join us and the world will live as one.” Ultimately this message encourages cultural diplomacy and the need for peaceful coexistence, cooperation rather than violence and victory. The sculpture is tribute to what Lennon stood for as well as the need for non-violence, it is symbolically placed in New York at the plaza at the entrance to the United Nations Building. The decision to place the sculpture at the UN is a message in itself, as essentially it represents an acceptance of the sculpture and the idea behind it by the international community, in the form of the UN. Kofi Annan claimed that the sculpture has “enriched the consciousness of humanity” by asking for peace. The creation of the Knotted gun was followed by a series of replicas; for instance Cape Town and Beijing. Essentially the sculpture promotes the dismantling of hatred and hostility not only between nations and cultures but amongst humankind.
