Hands on with a Vision, Pedro Reyes

Mexican artist Pedro Reyes has won international attention for large-scale projects that address current social and political issues. His practice straddles sculpture, performance, video, and activism. Here, Reyes offers the flag of the pUN: The people's United Nations, an experimental conference that applies resources from social psychology, theater, art, and conflict resolution to geopolitics. Unlike the real UN, where delegates are appointed by states and are career diplomats, the People’s UN welcomes individuals who are connected by family ties or by birth to the nations represented at the UN.

Reyes writes: “The flag of pUN is inspired by the hamsa (‘five’ in Arabic). This right palm with an eye at the center of it has been a symbol of protection across cultures and millennia. Originating in Africa, the hamsa predates Christianity and Islam. Workers’ and peoples’ movements have often been represented by a hand, sometimes holding a tool or closed in a fist. Here, the hand is open. Rather than signaling ‘stop’ with all fingers together, its fingers are spread in a salute. This benignant hand placed over an orb is meant to signal our mission to protect the planet. And here, its five fingers represent the world’s five populated continents. pUN’s motto is ‘Hands-on with a vision.’ Join us."