Broken Chair

Broken Chair is a large public sculpture on the Place des Nations plaza in Geneva, Switzerland, notable for its single broken leg and anti-landmine symbolism. It was installed in the late 1990s and is a permanent, highly visible public artwork outside the United Nations’ European headquarters.

The sculpture is a single-piece timber chair about 12 metres high sitting on the plaza in front of the Palace of Nations; it serves as both a photo subject and a political symbol. Its scale and central plaza location make it one of the most photographed public artworks in Geneva and a frequent rallying point for disarmament and humanitarian demonstrations.

Commissioned by a humanitarian organisation and created by Swiss artists and craftsmen in the 1990s, the piece was erected to draw attention to the humanitarian impact of landmines and to support global disarmament efforts. It has remained in place since its installation and has become associated with Geneva’s international institutions.

Situated on Place des Nations in the international district of Geneva, the sculpture stands directly in front of the Palace of Nations and faces the jetée and the park areas that front the UN complex.

• Size and location: Stands approximately 12 metres tall on the Place des Nations plaza directly in front of the Palace of Nations, making it highly visible from the UN complex and nearby streets.
• Best viewpoints: Photographs that include the Palace of Nations work best from the plaza or the opposite side of Avenue de la Paix; the monument is accessible at all hours.